Police officer found dead as he awaited trial for assaulting football fan

A police offer charged with assaulting a teenage football fan has been found dead weeks before the trial was set to start.

27-year-old PC William Sampson was filmed leaving a fan battered and bloodied after striking him with a baton during an incident that occurred after the game between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday in February 2020.

The fan was immediately taken to hospital afterwards after sustaining serious head injuries and the incident triggered a probe from the police watchdog to investigate any potential wrongdoing.

PC Sampson was expected to face trial in March after he had pleaded not guilty to unlawful and malicious wounding at a previous court hearing.

But South Yorkshire police have since confirmed Sampson, who was placed on restricted duties pending the outcome of his trial, was found dead at his home on Friday.

"We are incredibly saddened by news of Billy's death," said a Spokesperson for the force.

"Our thoughts remain with Billy's family and loved ones and they will be offered our full support."

Steve Kent, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, said: "On behalf of colleagues, all of our thoughts are with Billy's family, friends and colleagues at this time."

The incident in question was witnessed by thousands online after it was uploaded to social media, which displays Sampson charging towards the teenage fan before striking him around the head with his baton.

A woman who is thought to be the mother of the injured fan can be heard in the video shouting "what have you done to my son?" while blood pours down his face.

In the wake of the incident, a probe was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after South Yorkshire Police faced online backlash for the way they handled the situation.

After the probe was launched, IOPC Regional Director David Ford said: "We understand why the images that were circulated caused considerable public concern.

"After the footage was shared on social media, a mandatory referral was made to us in relation to the conduct of the officer.

"It is vitally important that the circumstances of the incident are subject to an independent investigation so we can fully understand what happened and impartially determine the facts."

Barnsley fan Spencer White filmed the footage that captured the ugly scenes and claimed he had "never seen anything like it".

"With it being a derby the atmosphere during and after the game was rowdy," White added. "I was making my way home when I saw two fans fighting, so I started to record it just in case anything happened.

"As soon as I did that this officer sprinted in and whacked a Wednesday fan over the head. I couldn't believe it, I've never seen anything like it.

"The officer didn't try and intervene or calm anyone down he just hit the lad straight away, it seemed really unnecessary.

"I feel like the police's attitude in general was really aggressive."