A police officer found guilty of assaulting a man at Workington police station has lodged an appeal against his conviction. 

Sergeant Andrew Rogers had denied assaulting 38-year-old Stephen Gillespie by beating him on May 23 last year while in the station's custody suite. 

He was convicted after a trial at the magistrates' court in Preston. 

The allegation was that had used “excessive force” while detaining Mr Gillespie. 

After the trial, Rogers, who lives in the Wigton area and is currently suspended from duty, was given a community order. 

This included a curfew to run over a six month period. The officer was also ordered to pay the victim £500 compensation along with £940 prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge. 

A spokesman for Preston Crown Court confirmed that the officer had lodged an appeal against his conviction. It will be heard by a judge and two magistrates on July 28. 

In a statement, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said: 

“A Cumbria Constabulary custody sergeant has been found guilty of common assault by beating (contrary to s39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988) following an IPCC independent investigation. 

“PS Andrew Rogers faced an allegation that he used excessive force during the detention of a 38-year-old-man at Workington Police Station in May 2015. 

“He was found guilty of the offence following a trial at Preston Magistrates’ Court. The allegation against PS Rogers was independently investigated by the IPCC.  

IPCC Commissioner, Carl Gumsley, said: “The decision to charge was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.

“The IPCC investigated this matter thoroughly and the evidence gathered in the course of the investigation led to this conviction. 

“Police officers should have the power to use force when it is necessary. However it must always be done in accordance with the law and they must be accountable for its use.”