A serving Greater Manchester special constable of 30 years has been found guilty of assaulting his seven-year-old neighbour in Bolton.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that Andrew Parkinson, of Willows Lane, Bolton, assaulted the boy after water was sprayed on him in a street in Bolton on 7 May 2021.

Parkinson, 55, is a serving special constable with 30 years’ service and is currently suspended.

The young neighbour had been playing with other children and they had been throwing water at each other.  

A small amount of water accidentally landed on Parkinson as he was returning home and he decided to confront the complainant.  

As he told the child off, the boy stumbled over a rock and fell into Parkinson.  

He said he believed this to be a deliberate headbutt and responded by taking hold of the child and placing his arm around his neck and torso before lifting him up and carrying him to his parents’ house.  

This was witnessed by a neighbour and several children, which was reported to the police.

Parkinson was subsequently arrested and charged with assault by beating. 

The young complainant, his father, and a local neighbour all gave evidence at a trial at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The defendant argued that he had acted in lawful self-defence.  

But the court found that he had not been acting lawfully and found Parkinson guilty.

He will be sentenced on August 1.

Senior crown prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk said: “This was a sensitive case which could only proceed with the support of the concerned neighbour, the parents of the young complainant, and of course the complainant himself.  

"Mr Parkinson took umbrage at young children playing innocently in the street and targeted a child.  

“That child was supported by the police and the CPS to come to court to tell his story and help bring Mr Parkinson to justice.”