A 'bully' powerlifter police sergeant from the Isle of Wight, who held a detainee up by his neck for looking 'aggressively' at a fellow officer, has been sacked from the force.

Former Sergeant Simon Lythgoe was found guilty of gross misconduct on Wednesday, September 27, as the County Press previously reported.

Following the misconduct hearing, held in Eastleigh, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed Lythgoe was dismissed with immediate effect.

In a statement, deputy chief constable Sam De Reya, described Lythgoe's actions as "incredibly disappointing and completely unjustified" and has issued an apology to the victims involved.

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She said: “This type of extreme behaviour is never acceptable and goes against everything we, as officers and staff, work hard to honour and protect every day; to protect the public and keep our communities a safe place for all. 

“This case was highlighted to our Professional Standards team by a person working within the custody block, Sgt Lythgoe was placed on directed duties and the circumstances were thoroughly investigated leading to the misconduct hearing. 

"A comprehensive review of the evidence by the misconduct panel has rightly led to the immediate dismissal of this officer.

"This demonstrates that we act quickly as a force to ensure we proactively investigate offences, misconduct and poor levels of service and root out those who have no place in the police service."

Lythgoe served as an officer with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary for '25 or so' years and in 2018, broke a bench pressing world record by pushing 231kg.

The hearing was shown two CCTV clips of incidents involving the former Sgt. The first was from Newport Police Station.

He was sitting behind the desk when a man - identified as Mr B - said: "My trousers are falling down. Can you loosen my left handcuff, please?

"I have been asking for five hours, you're taking the p**s."

Footage showed Sgt Lythgoe rising from his chair, approaching the man and lifting him up 'by the scruff of his neck' to remonstrate about the way he had looked at another officer.

The sergeant said to Mr B: "I don't like it. You don't look aggressively at my colleague."

In another incident, the following month, a female detainee called Ms A, who suffered PTSD from an abusive ex, was said to have been held down by Sgt Lythgoe and three other officers.

Sgt Lythgoe accepted excessive force was used in the incident involving Ms A, but said it was a 'difficult situation' and was necessary in the circumstances to ensure a safe withdrawal from the cell for him and the other officers.

Although he denied the charges he was found guilty of gross misconduct on all counts.

DCC De Reya added: “Due to the complex and sometimes violent nature of the policing role, we do have to engage the necessary policing powers and at times use force.

"We have clear guidance, training and scrutiny to ensure when we do apply force it is proportionate and necessary. 

“The panel has concluded the physical actions of Sgt Lythgoe were simply inexcusable and he has been dismissed with immediate effect. 

"On behalf of the force, I would like to apologise to the victims in this case and thank the colleague who stepped forward to challenge and report behaviour.”

If you know or suspect that an officer or member of police staff is doing something that does not seem right, you are urged to contact police on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary website.