I represented Claude and Marie who were both born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. English was therefore not their first language and in particular, Marie had limited English.
At the material time, Claude and Marie lived together at 27 Worcester Road, TW17 6AD (“the premises”), with their son, who was then around four months old.
One morning in March 2018, Claude was at work, while Marie was at home with their son.
Marie was asleep and was still in her nightwear when she was awoken by loud banging on the front door and immediately felt scared.
Marie got out of bed and went to the front door with her son in her arms. She could see a number of men in police uniforms through the glass panes in the door. She realised that the officers were using a battering ram to force entry.
Marie asked the officers to wait and said that she had her baby with her. She offered to get the keys to open the door.
The officers shouted, “Don’t move, stay there” and they continued to use the ram on the door until it broke and they had gained entry.
The officers then rushed into the premises, past Marie and her son and began to search by entering the living room, kitchen and bedroom.
Marie was frightened and shaking. She was also embarrassed because she was wearing only her nightwear.
Around a minute later, the officers of Derbyshire Police said, “Wrong house”.
Marie was taken into her living room and made to sit down by one of the officers.
Two officers in plain clothes then entered the living room and one handed to Marie a warrant.
The warrant produced to Marie bore the address 27 Worcester Road, TW17 6GT. No such address existed.
Marie contacted Claude, who left work and travelled back to the premises with his friend.
Marie spoke with the officers, who again explained that they had entered the wrong address.
Several hours later, the Housing Association repaired the property’s front door.
On behalf of my clients, I brought a claim against Derbyshire Police. Notwithstanding the strength of the claim, liability was denied and as a result, I was obliged to institute court proceedings. Eventually and within weeks of trial, the force backed down and agreed to pay my clients’ substantial compensation.
All names and addresses changed.
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