Police officer dismissed after repeatedly punching a suspected shoplifter in the head

A policeman who punched a suspected shoplifter in the head before pinning her to the ground has been dismissed from the force.

James Kiddie was convicted of common assault and handed a community service order earlier this year after lashing out at Sarah Reed at the Uniqlo clothing store in Regent Street, London.

Today he was dismissed without notice by a Met Police gross misconduct board.

Kiddie was called to the Uniqlo store after Sarah Reed was held by security guards.

In court earlier this year he said a "snarling" Ms Reed had bitten him on the finger and claimed that she had HIV.

CCTV footage played to the court showed Kiddie pushing Sarah Reed into a chair, grabbing her by the hair and hitting her on the head as she lay on the floor, before leaning on her neck until back-up arrived.

Warning: CCTV footage below contains graphic footage