DadTalk

Dad held in cell - over a smack

A father has demanded an apology from police after he was arrested and locked in a cell overnight - for smacking his sons leg

A father has demanded an apology from police after he was arrested and locked in a cell overnight - for smacking his son’s leg.

Mark Frearson said he told off his son Harry because the seven-year-old walked off alone after dark while they were out shopping. Three hours later four police officers and a specialist child support officer arrived at his house, took Harry away in a police car, arrested Mr Frearson on suspicion of assault and locked him in a cell.

After about an hour he said officers told him they could not carry out an interview as the witness was not in a condition to give a statement. Mr Frearson, a director at a parcel company, had to spend the night in the cell and was released the next day at 10am after the witness was interviewed and withdrew their accusation.

Mr Frearson said the incident happened last Tuesday at around 6pm. He said it was dark and he told Harry to stay with him. When he realised he had left the shop there was a ten minute search and he was found outside in a nearby park. He said he smacked Harry once on the back of his leg and the two returned home. At around 9pm police arrived saying a witness had reported Mr Frearson for assault.

The 47-year-old has made a formal complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission about the ordeal. He said the police reaction was massively over-the-top and the experience was traumatic for his son.

Read the full story in the Sun

Read the DadTalk articles on Discipline and Smacking

Check out our legal advice on smacking in the Legal Eagle

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