Crippled teenager sues police

A teenager who was crippled by a patrol car is suing the Metropolitan Police for damages.

Sherman Thomas's leg was crushed when Pc Graham Knight used the car's bumper to pin the youth against a wall.

Mr Thomas claims his hopes of becoming a professional basketball player were ruined by the incident four years ago. He needed several operations and has a metal plate in his leg.

Mr Thomas, now 22, still walks with a stick. Pc Knight, who has 28 years' service, was found guilty of misconduct and fined £1,300 last week.

Police chased Mr Thomas after suspecting him of using a stolen moped. An inquiry found that an officer calling an ambulance said: "He's conscious and screaming, yeah, teach him to nick mopeds."

A Met spokesman said: "A constable was found to have breached the code of conduct and fined 13 days' pay."