A man who was wrongfully arrested
after giving a pound to a homeless
man has won a £5,000 payout from
Merseyside Police.
George Wilson, 20, from Wallasey, was
handcuffed by an officer who thought he
was involved in a drug deal.
He received an out-of-court payment after
the arrest was accidentally recorded on
his mobile phone.
The force accepted he was detained
unlawfully and the officer had been
"spoken to" at a misconduct meeting.
During his arrest, Mr Wilson denied
behaving in a drunk and disorderly
manner. "That's not how I'll write it up,
pal," the officer replied.
Merseyside Police said the officer's
comments were open to interpretation
but confirmed that he had been given
advice and training.
Mr Wilson had just left a club in
Liverpool at 02:00 GMT on 11 January
2014 when he spotted a homeless person
and gave him a £1 coin.
'Shocking'
He was stopped by an officer and detained
under the Misuse of Drugs Act. As his
phone was removed, the officer
accidentally switched it to record audio.
Mr Wilson's lawyer Adam Quick
described the comments and language
used by the officer as "shocking."
A Merseyside Police spokesman said:
"The force can confirm that it sought legal
advice before a settlement amount was
negotiated before this case went to trial.
"The officer involved in this incident was
spoken to about the matter at a
misconduct meeting earlier in the year
and was provided with advice and
training.
"Merseyside Police remains absolutely
committed to the highest integrity and the
professional standards of its officers at all
times."
after giving a pound to a homeless
man has won a £5,000 payout from
Merseyside Police.
George Wilson, 20, from Wallasey, was
handcuffed by an officer who thought he
was involved in a drug deal.
He received an out-of-court payment after
the arrest was accidentally recorded on
his mobile phone.
The force accepted he was detained
unlawfully and the officer had been
"spoken to" at a misconduct meeting.
During his arrest, Mr Wilson denied
behaving in a drunk and disorderly
manner. "That's not how I'll write it up,
pal," the officer replied.
Merseyside Police said the officer's
comments were open to interpretation
but confirmed that he had been given
advice and training.
Mr Wilson had just left a club in
Liverpool at 02:00 GMT on 11 January
2014 when he spotted a homeless person
and gave him a £1 coin.
'Shocking'
He was stopped by an officer and detained
under the Misuse of Drugs Act. As his
phone was removed, the officer
accidentally switched it to record audio.
Mr Wilson's lawyer Adam Quick
described the comments and language
used by the officer as "shocking."
A Merseyside Police spokesman said:
"The force can confirm that it sought legal
advice before a settlement amount was
negotiated before this case went to trial.
"The officer involved in this incident was
spoken to about the matter at a
misconduct meeting earlier in the year
and was provided with advice and
training.
"Merseyside Police remains absolutely
committed to the highest integrity and the
professional standards of its officers at all
times."
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