Police have defended their use of force during a raid on a gym which refused to close in defiance of coronavirus restrictions after video showed the confrontation with the owner and its patrons.
Footage was released by gym owner Nathan Deasha who condemned what he calls “excessive police violence” after officers swooped Prophecy Performance Centre gym in Liverpool on Sunday 7 February after receiving a call from locals. Deasha, 34, defied lockdown restrictions to offer people a “safe place”to train in a bid to combat the adverse effect on physical and mental health.
But footage has emerged showing gym owner Nathan, who is handcuffed, being kicked before being tackled to the ground and pepper-sprayed.
Further footage shows one officer producing a baton and taking a swipe at one of the gym goers as they attempted to leave the scene.
Read More: Video shows police in violent confrontation with gym owner
