Cop acquitted of attempted manslaughter; Accused of knocking over scooter rider

A motorcycle police officer accused of of knocking over a scooter rider, seriously injuring him, was acquitted of attempted manslaughter. The Eindhoven cop was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm and sentenced to 100 hours of community service, Omroep Brabant reports.

The Public Prosecutor demanded 120 hours of community service, one day in prison and a 29 day suspended prison sentence. According to the Public Prosecutor, the 43-year-old cop took a massive risk when he pushed the suspect over while the scooter was in motion.

The incident happened during the early hours of July 8th, 2015 after a break-in in Eindhoven. The cop responded to reports that a police car was chasing a suspect in the burglary. He noticed the man on a scooter and gave chase, thinking that he was involved in the burglary. 

The officer drove up next to the scooter on his motorcycle and signaled him to stop. The man ignored hi and te officer pushed the scooter's steering wheel . The man fell and sustained serious injuries to his head and neck. 

The cop's lawyer, Joost Wasser, called for acquittal. According to him, many officers give pushes like that and it is very rare that someone gets hurt. He added that his client had no intention of injuring the man.