My client, Maxine Rogers rented and resided at 226 Liverpool Road hereafter (“the premises”) with her son, David.
At approximately 06.10 one morning in June 2020, Maxine woke to the sound of a loud bang. She was immediately scared.
Maxine went to the front bedroom window and saw uniformed Police Officers of Greater Manchester Police at the front door.
She immediately went downstairs by which time three officers had gained entry to the premises, having forced entry causing damage to the front door. Maxine was told to come into the living room which she did.
One officer advised Maxine that he had a Warrant to search the premises for drugs. Maxine got up several times as she wished to inspect the damage to the front door. Each time, Maxine was told to sit down. One Officer sat in the living room with papers whilst a second stood at the door blocking the exit whilst other Officers searched the house.
Maxine repeatedly asked to see the Warrant. Each time, Maxine was told that the relevant documentation would be handed to her in due course.
The premises were searched and officers seized four phones (including two belonging to Maxine) and some empty snap bags. Maxine advised that one of the phones was her work phone which she needed for her job.
Throughout the search, Maxine was confined to the living room and was not free to come and go as she pleased.
After approximately an hour, the officers left the premises. Maxine was handed a copy of the Premises Search Record and nothing more.
Maxine was in a state of shock and upset. She correctly believed that the officers should have given to her a copy of the Search Warrant. Maxine rang Ashton-under-Lyne Police Station to complain.
At approximately 17.00 later that day, a uniformed officer attended the house and handed to Maxine’s son a copy of the missing Warrant.
Approximately 3 weeks later, Maxine received confirmation that she could collect her phones that had been seized and did so.
I subsequently pursued a successful claim against Greater Manchester Police on behalf of Maxine on the basis that the officers failure to produce and provide to Maxine a copy of the Search Warrant rendered their treatment of her unlawful and their occupation of her home a trespass.
Following the institution of court proceedings, Greater Manchester Police agreed to pay Maxine significant damages and her legal fees.
All names changed.
