Merseyside Police officers charged over bar brawl where a man was “stabbed with broken toilet seat”

Four officers will appear in court after the incident in Liverpool City Centre.

Ava's Bar in Renshaw Street, Liverpool City Centre

Four Merseyside Police officers have been charged with a bar brawl where a man was allegedly 'stabbed with a broken toilet seat'.

The Liverpool Echo understands the incident occurred in Ava's Bar on Renshaw Street, Liverpool City Centre, where a group of off-duty officers was on a night out on July 28th, 2020. According to a source with knowledge of the case, a verbal dispute erupted between the officers and another group.

According to the source, a fight broke out in the toilets of the bar in which a man received injuries allegedly inflicted by the broken toilet seat. A further battle involving several parties broke out after the first incident.

The victim was treated in hospital for his injuries, it is understood.

After an investigation, four serving Merseyside Police officers have been charged over the incident. PC Paul Grimes, 37, of Childwall Valley Road, Childwall and PC Sean Miley, 31, of Redbank Close, Fazakerley, has been charged with wounding to cause grievous bodily harm.

Two other officers, PC Lucy Donaldson, 40, of Sergrim Road, Huyton and PC John Thompson, 26, of Benedict Street, Bootle, were each charged with affray. All four officers deny the offences and are set to stand trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Merseyside Police confirmed the officers were due to stand trial in August but declined to comment further.