Home / Crime and Justice / Officer Punches Handcuffed Woman, Gets Conditional Discharge
Officer Punches Handcuffed Woman, Gets Conditional Discharge
22 Jun
Summary
- Officer punched handcuffed woman, breaking her nose.
- Officer received conditional discharge and 12 months probation.
- Incident involved a woman in mental health crisis.
A Hamilton police officer, Const. Matthew Eleftheriou, has been granted a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation after pleading guilty to assault causing bodily harm. The charge arose from an incident on February 23, 2025, when officers responded to a mental health crisis call.
During the incident, the woman, who was handcuffed and verbally combative, kicked Eleftheriou. He immediately responded by punching her in the nose, causing a displaced nasal bone fracture and requiring stitches. The woman reported experiencing lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts, including anxiety and an inability to work.
The judge acknowledged aggravating factors, such as the officer's role and the victim's vulnerability. However, she also considered Eleftheriou's guilty plea, acceptance of responsibility, completion of counseling, and unblemished career. The assault was described as a 'momentary action,' leading to the judge imposing the joint sentence submission, meaning Eleftheriou will not have a criminal record.
