File photo of London police cruiser. Photo by Blackburn News.File photo of London police cruiser. Photo by Blackburn News.
London

Police officer punched by urinating suspect

Charges have been laid after a London police officer was repeatedly punched while trying to stop a man from urinating on a police cruiser during the height of unsanctioned street parties near Western University Saturday night.

The officer was in the area of Huron and Richmond streets around 11:40 p.m. when he spotted a man relieving himself on the marked police vehicle. After telling the man he was under arrest, the officer was hit in the face "multiple times," police said.

The suspect proceeded to resist arrest, but was finally taken into custody when more officers arrived on scene.

The officer who was punched suffered minor injuries.

A 21-year-old London man is charged with assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, and being intoxicated in a public place. He is scheduled to appear in London court in relation to the charges on December 23.

Video posted to social media from Saturday's Western University Homecoming and FoCo celebrations shows hundreds of young people, many decked out in Western attire, blocking city streets during alcohol fueled parties. In some cases, students were seen jumping from utility poles and crowd surfing. Few in attendance wore face coverings or observed physical distancing rules.

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