Police officer jailed over 'chokehold' offence

A former police officer has been jailed for eight months after admitting a charge of intentional non-fatal strangulation.

PC Tyler McWalter, 30, placed a man in a chokehold, wrapping his arm around the victim's neck and pulling him to the ground.

The incident happened outside the Kika Beach Bar on the Esplanade in Weymouth, Dorset, in the early hours of 14 September 2024.

McWalter was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Friday.

At the time of the incident, McWalter was a serving Dorset Police officer but was off duty. He was suspended from duty after pleading guilty in March.

On Tuesday, a misconduct hearing found his actions amounted to gross misconduct and a breach of the standards of professional behaviour. He was dismissed without notice.

In addition to the custodial sentence, McWalter was fined £187.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said the force will "continue to take robust action against officers whose behaviour falls below the high standards we expect of them, whether that is on or off duty".

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