A police officer filmed beating a teenage football fan with a baton has been found dead just weeks before his trial.
PC William Sampson, 27, was due to face trial for knocking the 16-year-old to the ground with a bloodied face after a game between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.
However, his family revealed that he took his own life, according to the Daily Mail.
PC Sampson, also known as Billy, was facing an internal investigation as well as charges of unlawful and malicious wounding. He denied the charge at an earlier hearing.
South Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are incredibly saddened by news of Billy’s death.
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‘Our thoughts remain with Billy’s family and loved ones and they will be offered our full support.’
Video footage of the incident showed Sampson charging towards the teen before hitting him over the head with his police-issued baton.
video of police officer filmed hitting 16yo-boy-baton
A woman, reported to be the teen’s mum, can be heard screaming, ‘what have you done to my son?’ as blood pours down his face.
Officers were monitoring fans as they made their way from the football ground towards the train station.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation and referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who then charged Sampson with assault.
When the probe was launched, IOPC Regional Director David Ford said: ‘We understand why the images that were circulated caused considerable public concern.
‘After the footage was shared on social media, a mandatory referral was made to us in relation to the conduct of the officer.
