South Yorkshire Police has opened an investigation today after an officer was filmed on a security camera repeatedly punching a woman while arresting her.
CCTV pictures obtained by the Guardiannewspaper and broadcast widely on television showed the officer punching Toni Comer five times while arresting her last year for damaging a car, an offence she has since admitted.
The officer involved, named by the Guardianas Constable Anthony Mulhall, said he was acting in self-defence. He has been withdrawn from public duties, but not suspended, while the inquiry is carried out.
The footage shows Ms Comer (20), wrestling with the officer outside a nightclub in Sheffield from which she had been ejected. Other officers then come to assist.
Video grab image taken from Sky News of CCTV footage showing Toni Comer being arrested by South Yorkshire Police
"She now began to kick, spit and made attempts to bite me . . . she tried to grab handfuls of my genitals and knee and kick me in the same place," Mr Mulhall said in a statement after the arrest, according to the Guardian.
"At this point I struck her as hard as I was physically able with my right fist in an attempt to subdue her. There was no effect so I did it twice more."
He said he had hit her on the arm to allow her to be handcuffed.
Ms Comer said she had suffered an epileptic fit and appears to be limp as she is taken to a police van, the Guardiansaid. Her lawyers are calling for the Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate the case.
"I was shocked when I first saw the film. I didn't think they'd do something like that," Ms Comer told the paper.
Earlier, police said they were angry at suggestions in a BBC Newsnightreport, which they said accused them of racism. Ms Comer is black.