CS spray use against juveniles in Portrush and Magherafelt was justified

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Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:44

By Grainne Connolly @grainne555

By Gráinne Connolly

The Police Watchdog says officers were justified in using CS Spray against teenage boys in Portrush and Magherafelt.

It was deployed against a 15-year-old in May 2016, after the PSNI reported that he threatened to kill an officer after they found him in the kitchen of the family home with a hammer in his right hand.

They said he was warned that CS Spray would be used if he did not drop the weapon, which the teen didn't.

Meanwhile, in a second case, a 17 year old was captured by police body worn video cameras throwing items at officers, including a fire extinguisher.

The Ombudsman, Dr. Michael Maguire says both incidents involved reports of the teenagers being violent and the reaction was proportionate within official guidelines.