On the 7 March 2011 my client Richard Hagan met up with family members to play pool and watch football at a local pub.
During the course of the day Richard consumed between 6 and 7 pints of lager and a small quantity of cocaine.
At or soon after midnight Richard and his family left the pub.
As they did so Richard noticed a group of people outside which was rowdy but not violent. People appeared to be arguing. Some were standing in the road.
A police vehicle pulled up next to Richard. Some of the rowdy group were still in the road. The police officer in the vehicle, a PC Warren of Merseyside Police shouted for everyone to get on the side, which Richard understood to mean that he wanted everyone to stand on the pavement. PC Warren then drove away in his vehicle.
Someone but not Richard then shouted abuse towards the officer who appeared to hear what was said for he quickly applied his brakes and parked up. PC Warren got out of his vehicle and told Richard in terms to ‘come here’.
At this, Richard panicked and, in the knowledge that he was in possession of cocaine, began to run away.
PC Warren gave chase; eventually cornering Richard whereupon the officer fired a taser at him without warning.
Richard felt intense shock surging through his body. The barbs from the taser struck his shoulder and buttock and he fell face forward to the concrete ground below, suffering serious facial injuries.
Richard’s mouth and jaw was throbbing with pain and he was bleeding from the mouth. He had suffered significant dental damage. His hands and knees were cut. He was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment.
Richard was subsequently advised that as a result of the damage caused, his four front teeth required complete removal and replacement.
Richard brought a claim for assault against Merseyside Police arguing that PC Warren’s use of taser amounted to use of force that was unnecessary, excessive, unreasonable and disproportionate.
Merseyside Police denied liability but after the institution of court proceedings agreed a substantial settlement of £24,000 plus legal costs.
Also read: How the Police and Government are Misleading the Public about Taser Assaults.
