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Disgraced Canterbury PC banned from rejoining any police force

A disgraced police officer who attacked his ex-partner’s friend shortly after their relationship ended has been banned from rejoining any force.

Canterbury PC Robbie Egan handed in his notice shortly after pleading guilty to assault by battery in front of Margate magistrates last month.

Footage of Egan assaulting his victim

Prosecutors told how in June last year the 30-year-old marched out of his home in Fernlea Avenue, Herne Bay, before punching Danny Cambridge and pressing his forearm into the victim's neck.

The attacker insisted he did not do this, instead claiming he twice pushed Mr Cambridge after allegedly seeing him “grab my mother”, but his version of events was rejected by the CPS.

Today, chief constable Alan Pughsley told a misconduct hearing at Kent Police headquarters in Gravesend that gym-goer Egan had discredited the force.

“It was clear he was aggressive and threatening and had assaulted a member of the public,” explained the senior officer, who was chairing proceedings.

Robbie Egan, from Herne Bay, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Margate Magistrates' Court last month
Robbie Egan, from Herne Bay, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Margate Magistrates' Court last month

“The Kent Police mission is to protect the public. The core responsibility of a police officer is to keep people safe.

“This conduct cannot be tolerated, nor can it be expected by the public. He would no longer have the trust of the public if he was still serving.

“If he was still serving, I would have dismissed him.”

Egan’s details will be added to the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from becoming an officer again or taking up roles within the fire service.

He had been in the job for two years prior to his suspension on June 30, the day of his arrest.

Robbie Egan, from Herne Bay, leaving Margate Magistrates' Court last month
Robbie Egan, from Herne Bay, leaving Margate Magistrates' Court last month

The disciplinary hearing, which Egan did not attend, was told he tendered his resignation on February 11 and had his pay terminated on Valentine’s Day.

Prior to Chief Constable Pughsley's verdict, DCI Natalie Potter noted witness accounts of the incident last summer “suggest a serious lack of control, which might well cast doubt over PC Egan”.

“Public confidence in the use of legitimate force by the police officer would have been affected,” she added.

“This is a case of such clarity that dismissal would have been the only appropriate sanction.”

The court hearing last month was told the attack took place late on June 29 after Egan’s ex-girlfriend, Jessica Owen, drove to his address to drop off his belongings.

Canterbury PC Robbie Egan was suspended from the job immediately after his arrest last summer
Canterbury PC Robbie Egan was suspended from the job immediately after his arrest last summer

As she and two friends, including Mr Cambridge, returned to their car, the assailant - wearing only his underwear - rushed into the street in a “rage-like manner”, yelling “you know what day it is”.

Egan claimed he was “extremely emotional”, having completed the sale of his late grandad’s home prior to the incident.

Prosecutor Nathan Fitzpatrick told the court: “From our basis, Mr Cambridge drove to Egan’s home address to return items that Ms Owen had.

“After 11pm they attended the address and left the belongings in a carrier bag outside.

“Egan came running out of the house. In an aggressive and rage-like manner, he opened the passenger door (of the car Ms Owen was in), saying ‘you know what day it is’.

Canterbury PC Robbie Egan was videoed during the attack in Herne Bay
Canterbury PC Robbie Egan was videoed during the attack in Herne Bay

“His mother came out, and at this point Egan walked over to the driver’s side of the car where Mr Cambridge was sat. He assaulted Mr Cambridge verbally and physically grabbed him.

“He pushed his forearm against Mr Cambridge’s windpipe and punched him, shouting ‘I’m going to knock all of you ***** out’.”

Mr Fitzpatrick said Egan then walked away from the vehicle, allowing the victim to drive off.

Footage of the incident shared with KentOnline shows Egan saying to his ex: “How dare you? After you knew what my mum and dad’s been through today.”

He can then be seen leaning over the driver of the vehicle shouting “shut up before I bang every single one of you up” and moving his arms towards Mr Cambridge.

"This is a case of such clarity that dismissal would have been the only appropriate sanction..."

Despite this, Egan disputed the version of the events put forward by the prosecution.

In a statement read to magistrates, he said: "I am willing to plead guilty to assault on the following basis.

“It was extremely emotional because we sold my grandad’s house after his death, and I told Ms Owen I would collect my belongings the next day.

“I heard my property being thrown to the ground outside. I didn’t go (to the car) to assault anyone; I wanted Jessica Owen to stop throwing my belongings.

“I left the car to go outside the house, when I saw Danny grab my mother, who is in her 50s.

“I pushed him twice. I don’t accept putting my forearm on his windpipe or punching Danny.”

Mr Cambridge categorically denied putting his hands on Egan's mother.

The disgraced PC is due to be sentenced at Margate Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

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