Former Labour MP, Eric Joyce (54) has been convicted of attacking two teenage boys in a corner shop in London, as they tried to buy a chocolate milkshake.
The boys were aged 14 and 15. It is said that Joyce had grabbed one of the boys in the News & Food Express shop in Camden, London in October 2014. He had pinned one to the ground in what he termed as “citizen’s arrest”, while he elbowed the other teenager in the chest after howling, “Are you talking to me?”
The former MP denied the two counts of common assault against him. However, he was found guilty at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 1st May 2015, after CCTV evidence revealed the attack that took place.
Shopkeeper, Ali Fahan recalled how the boy was crying and said he wanted to go home as Joyce constrained him. “I told the man [Eric Joyce] to let him go because he was crying. The smaller boy was trying to save his friend. He was trying to push the man and save his friend and go home.”
While sentencing, District Judge, John Zani said he had “no doubt” the politician was guilty of the two charges against him. Joyce was also told that a prison sentence was possible due to his previous convictions for assault.
John Zani confirmed, “I have heard the evidence from both sides and we have had the opportunity to review the CCTV footage, and I do not accept your evidence that the both ran at or towards you.”
The judge dismissed his defence that Joyce was trying to stop the teenager from damaging the store. He continued, “In my view you underplayed the violence that you meted out to these young men and you wanted the police called, in my opinion, so as to justify your actions. I have no doubt, Mr Joyce, that you are guilty of both. That is my finding. Given my findings and your previous convictions, all options including imprisonment will be considered.”
