On the 25 June 2020, Richard Rowbottom was placed on a tag curfew by his local Magistrates’ Court awaiting trial.
On the 25 September 2020, Richard committed a further offence, was arrested and was immediately placed on remand.
On the 28 September 2020, Richard was convicted of the original offence, given a suspended sentence and had his bail conditions were discharged.
Three weeks later, and following a routine stop in the street, Richard was arrested for breaching his electronically monitored curfew notwithstanding that the Court had cancelled this bail condition. Richard’s protests were ignored, he was handcuffed and conveyed to custody.
In light of his arrest, Richard requested the services of his criminal defence solicitor who was able to verify his account specifically that he had been in prison during the dates of the alleged breach. The Custody Sergeant and Duty Inspector then conducted checks on PNC which confirmed that Richard had been in prison on the relevant dates. On that basis, and after 24 hours in Custody, he was released from custody.
Following investigation by the Court, it was established that Court staff had failed to ‘end’ Richard’s bail conditions in respect of the first matter when he was arrested and remanded into custody on the 25 September 2021 in respect of new offences.
This then led to his arrest for breaching his electronically monitored curfew on the 25, 26 and 27 September when in fact, he was in custody.
Following negotiation, the Court Service agreed to pay Richard £6,000 in compensation together with his legal fees.
My client’s name has been changed.
