Police officer who beat 16 year old fan with baton found dead before his trial

A police officer who beat a 16 year old football fan with a baton has been found dead before his trial, according to reports.

Many will remember the shocking footage of a fan left bloodied after getting a whack to the head with full force following the Championship fixture against Sheffield Wednesday a few years back.

The incident, which was said to have taken place outside Barnsley bus station, started off with two lads scrapping, only for an officer to run in and hits one in the head.

 

Passers by looked on with horror at seeing such shocking actions taken towards the youngster, who was left hurt, bloodied and in a daze.

“He’s injured, he’s injured” is what another officer could be heard saying as the ground got a covering of blood also.

A second copper allegedly smashed a phone of another person that was filming what had they had just witnessed.

Chief Superintendent and Match Commander Sarah Poolman, said at the time of the incident: “Yesterday, Saturday 8 February, following the Barnsley V Sheffield Wednesday match our officers responded to disorder outside the transport interchange.

“A full, open investigation, including extended video footage, will take place to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the actions which led to a 16-year-old boy sustaining a head injury from an officer’s baton, and an officer being assaulted, sustaining injuries to his stomach and head.

“The 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital by ambulance. The police officer also attended hospital. Both of their injuries are not life-threatening.

“A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency services worker. He has been released under investigation.

“If you witnessed the incident or have any video footage, please contact 101 quoting incident 232 of February 2020.”

Mobile phone footage showed PC William Sampson, 27, running at the fan and striking him over the head.

The footage, taken in February 2020, and shared online, sparked outrage and prompted an investigation by the police watchdog.

PC Sampson, known as ‘Billy’, was due to face trial in March after pleading not guilty to unlawful and malicious wounding at a previous court hearing.

But South Yorkshire Police have confirmed he was found dead at his home on Friday afternoon.

He had been placed on restricted duties pending the outcome of his trial. A spokesperson for the force said: ‘We are incredibly saddened by news of Billy’s death.

‘Our thoughts remain with Billy’s family and loved ones and they will be offered our full support.’

Steve Kent, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, said: ‘On behalf of colleagues, all of our thoughts are with Billy’s family, friends and colleagues at this time.’

Barnsley supporter Spencer White, who filmed the footage, said after the incident: ‘I was making my way home when I saw two fans fighting, so I started to record it just in case anything happened.

‘As soon as I did that this officer sprinted in and whacked a Wednesday fan over the head.‘The officer didn’t try and intervene or calm anyone down he just hit the lad straight away, it seemed really unnecessary.

‘I feel like the police’s attitude in general was really aggressive.’

A probe was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after South Yorkshire Police were criticised by the football world.

An IOPC spokeswoman said it completed its investigation in August 2020 and referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, making the decision to charge Sampson.

Officers kept an eye on fans at the time of the incident as they made their way from the stadium towards the town’s transport interchange.

When the investigation was launched, IOPC regional director David Ford said: ‘We understand why the images that were circulated caused considerable public concern.

‘After the footage was shared on social media, a mandatory referral was made to us in relation to the conduct of the officer.

‘It is vitally important that the circumstances of the incident are subject to an independent investigation so we can fully understand what happened and impartially determine the facts.’

The South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation also paid tribute to the officer’s death.

Chairman Steve Kent said: “On behalf of colleagues, all of our thoughts are with Billy’s family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

Posting online, Sadie Tummon said: “RIP Billy you were a good friend to me from a young age throughout my childhood and school. You will be missed.”

Andrea Campbell added: “So very sad, I remember Billy as a little boy, my daughter’s friend in Dobcroft School. My thoughts are with his lovely mum, his brothers and the rest of his family. Truly heartbreaking.”