Police officer sacked for not treating knifeman with 'courtesy and respect' to appeal dismissal

Upon being caught, a knife fell from the teenager's pocket and Mr Castle held him to the ground and told him to "stop screaming like a b***h".

The arrest occurred on January 27, 2024, in Bournemouth at the end of a 10-hour shift for Mr Castle.

The teenager was suspected of assaulting an elderly man and being involving in a fight in a McDonald's restaurant within an area which had seen a large gang fight take place.

As a result of the incident, a misconduct panel found the experienced officer failed to treat the suspect "with courtesy and respect".

Speaking to GB News in June, Mr Castle said: "The intention was to arrest a potentially violent subject without any injuries and to make sure it was safe."

He added: "I know I made that split decision with no ill intent."

The decision made by Dorset Police was met with large public backlash with many supporting Mr Castle, who had previously won a bravery award for saving an elderly woman from drowning.

Then, just weeks after being sacked, Mr castle was praised once again by the public for tackling another teenager who was suspected of shoplifting.

Now, Mr Castle has been told by the police appeals tribunal that he can appeal his dismissal based on three grounds.

Firstly, that the decision made by Dorset Police to take disciplinary action in the first place was unreasonable; secondly, that there was new evidence which had not been considered; and thirdly, that there was a breach of conduct procedures.

Mr Castle told The Telegraph: "I am very pleased that my appeal against my dismissal has been granted on all the grounds that were submitted on my behalf.

"These past six months have been very difficult for me, losing a job that I loved serving the people of Dorset which I spent many years doing."

He added: "To end up being dismissed overnight, I'll be honest, shattered me. Both the hurt and the pain have been enormous and devastating in equal measures.

"Losing my good reputation has also taken its toll. I'm very grateful that I have had the support of my wife and family through some horrible, difficult months."

Mr Castle thanked the public and other police officers for their "overwhelming" support, calling it a "great comfort".

He concluded: "I look forward to attending my appeal hearing and hope that justice will prevail and that my good name and reputation is restored."

A fundraising page set up for Mr Castle has so far raised more than £133,000.