On 16 January 2011 a Premier League football match was held between Birmingham City and Aston Villa at St Andrews Football Ground.
My client Chris O’Donnell, a Birmingham City supporter, watched the match in a nearby pub.
At the conclusion of the match, Chris left the pub having made arrangements to meet a friend at nearby “McDonalds Island”.
As Chris made his way to the meeting point amongst a small group of other Birmingham City supporters, a serial of West Midlands Police Officers began to escort the group using their riot shields and shouting “Move on”. As Chris was at the back of the group, he received most of the force and was obliged on several occasions to remonstrate and ask the officers to stop pushing.
At this, Police Sergeant James ran towards Chris, turned the shield he was holding sideways and forcibly struck Chris with the edge of his shield, which made contact with the right side of Chris’ face. Chris turned and Sergeant James then hit Chris a second time, to the back of his head.
Chris immediately realised that his head was bleeding and he felt faint, lightheaded and dizzy. He attended Hospital later that evening and a cut to his left cheek was recorded, adjacent to his right eye. The wound was cleaned and closed with glue.
Although West Midlands Police belatedly admitted liability they continued to fail to recognise the serious nature of their officer’s actions. After a succession of offers and only a short while before the final hearing, West Midlands Police offered and Chris accepted a final settlement of £17,500 plus costs.
Names changed.
Also read: Are the Police the real football hooligans?
