The incident, captured on video in May 2021, unfolded on the A46 near Newark, Nottinghamshire, and involved Inspector Jonathan Mellor of Lincolnshire Police and a driver named Shane Price. The footage shows a physical altercation between the two men, with Mellor punching Price in the face, stamping on his foot, and using aggressive language. Mellor, who was off-duty but wearing his police uniform under a civilian jacket, had taken a photo of Price’s truck, apparently due to Price’s driving. Price subsequently caught up to Mellor’s personal vehicle, pulling alongside it. The confrontation escalated when both vehicles stopped on a slip road, and Price approached Mellor.
The video, recorded by Price’s wife from the passenger seat of their truck, documented the escalating tension. It captures the initial verbal exchange and the subsequent physical altercation where Mellor pushes Price towards a fence. Mellor then uses his police radio to request backup, identifying his location incorrectly. The audio captures Price repeatedly asking Mellor to remove his hand from his throat, though Mellor later claimed his hand was on Price’s shoulder. When Price pushed Mellor’s hand away, Mellor punched him. The video then shows the two men grappling on the ground, with Price complaining he couldn’t breathe. Price’s wife can be heard calling 999 to report the assault.
The incident resulted in criminal charges of common assault against Mellor, but he was acquitted in May 2022. Following the verdict, senior police officials initially stated that no internal misconduct proceedings would be pursued and that Mellor, nearing retirement, would likely return to operational duties if he chose not to retire. This decision was subsequently appealed by Price, leading to a reopening of the case and an internal misconduct hearing.
The misconduct hearing, held at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, commenced amidst controversy. Mellor’s lawyer argued that the proceedings were unfair, particularly as Price, the original complainant, had withdrawn his support for the case and was not present at the hearing. Despite this, the panel ruled that the hearing should proceed, citing public interest and the established legal framework as outweighing any potential prejudice to Mellor. The panel acknowledged a degree of sympathy for Mellor’s situation but insisted on the importance of scrutinizing the incident further.
During the initial criminal trial, the prosecution presented the video evidence and argued that Mellor’s actions constituted an assault. Mellor’s defense claimed he acted in self-defense, fearing an imminent attack from Price. Mellor testified that he identified himself as a police officer, a claim disputed by Price, who stated he believed Mellor to be a security guard. Mellor admitted to punching Price and stamping on his injured foot, asserting these actions were necessary to regain control of the situation. He also explained his use of foul language as a tactic to communicate effectively in the “vernacular” he believed Price understood. Furthermore, Mellor attributed his decision to use the emergency button on his radio for the first time in his career to his age, health condition, and the perceived threat from the younger Price.
The differing accounts of the event, coupled with the video evidence, presented a complex picture to both the criminal court and the misconduct panel. Mellor’s justification for his actions, including the punch, the stamp on Price’s foot, and his use of force, revolved around self-defense and the need to control the situation. Price’s version, however, portrayed Mellor as the aggressor, using excessive force and unprofessional language. The ongoing misconduct hearing is tasked with determining whether Mellor breached professional standards, specifically regarding the use of excessive force and demonstrating disrespectful, abusive, and threatening behavior. The outcome of this hearing will determine the consequences Mellor faces, despite his acquittal in the criminal court.
