PC Harwood trial date set after officer pleads not-guilty

Following the Plea and Case Management hearing on 17 October 2011, at which PC Simon Harwood denied charges of manslaughter for the death of Ian Tomlinson, a trial date has been set for 13 June 2012. His trial is expected to last four to five weeks.

Harwood showed 'no emotion' during the 20-minute hearing at Southwark crown court during which he pleaded not guilty.

Plea and Case Management Hearing - Monday 17th October 2011

PC Simon Harwood, the officer charged with manslaughter for Ian Tomlinson's death, is due to attend court on Monday 17th October to enter his plea.

Plea and Case Management Hearing
Monday 17th October, 9.30am

Southwark Crown Court‎
English Grounds
City of London
Greater London SE1 2HU

Family devastated after Harwood trial delayed until October 2012

The family of Ian Tomlinson are bitterly disappointed to learn today that the trial of Simon Harwood for the manslaughter of Ian Tomlinson is to be delayed until October 2012.

The family have been told that as a result of existing commitments of legal counsel, it is proposed the trial go ahead from 2nd October 2012. This would be three and half years after Ian's death and 17 months from the date of the decision to prosecute.

Julia Tomlinson spoke on behalf of her family today:

"This is a disgrace and we all feel devastated. When the Crown Prosecution Service told us in May this year that they intended to prosecute, the impression was that it would be scheduled for this year as there had already been a long wait and they recognised how agonising that was for us. We have already waited two and half long years and our lives are on hold in the meantime. If there are problems with the proposed barristers' availability, why can't others be appointed? This makes a mockery of the justice system."

PC Harwood in court for first hearing - Monday 20 June 10am

PC Simon Harwood, the officer charged with manslaughter for Ian's death, will appear in court for the first time on Monday 20 June 2011. We understand the hearing will be brief - it is primarily administrative to refer the case to a Crown Court. Defendant's are not expected to enter a plea at this stage. No date is set for a trial yet.

Monday 20 June 2011 10am: Court 1, City of Westminster Magistrates Court

70 Horseferry Road
London
England
SW1P 2AX

Statement from the Tomlinson family on today's decision

Commenting on this morning's decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions that PC Simon Harwood will face criminal charges for the manslaughter of Ian Tomlinson, Ian's family said:

"We welcome today's decision to bring a charge of manslaugher against the officer. We believe this is the right decision. What we have always wanted is to achieve justice for Ian and to show that police officers are not above the law"