Lancashire tasered blind man puts in damage claim (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)
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Lancashire tasered blind man puts in damage claim
1:09pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News
TASERED Colin Farmer
A BLIND man tasered by a Lancashire police officer who mistook his white stick for a samurai sword has issued a claim for damages against the county’s police force.
Colin Farmer has sent a letter to Lancashire Constabulary seeking damages for an incident on October 12, in which he tasered by a stun gun which delivers 50,000 volts.
The weapon was discharged by an officer in Peter Street, Chorley, as Mr Farmer made his way to a pub to meet friends.
In addition Mr Farmer, via McMillan Williams solicitors, will be seeking a declaration of incompatibility from the High Court in relation to the use of the taser on him.
Stroke victim Mr Farmer, 61, claimed he collapsed to the ground in shock after he was hit in the back with the gun while walking down the street.
Police had been responding to reports of a man walking through the town armed with the deadly martial arts sword and were searching the town centre for a suspect.
A statement from his solicitor, Sophie Khan, said: “Mr Farmer is claiming damages for assault, false imprisonment, breach of Article 3 under the European Convention of Human Rights and personal injury for the physical and psychological injuries he has suffered as a result of the incident.”
The police force has already issued an apology saying they ‘deeply regret’ what has happened.
Comments(4)
George.White.Bread
says...
8:09pm Fri 11 Jan 13
glossopkid wrote:In one breath you are asking if this officer has been punished and in the next accusing the Police of double standards which suggests that you have already made your mind up that he hasn't been punished.
So much for the police not knowing the difference between Martial Arts sword and a walking stick.
How about letting the public know if the officer who committed this act is suspended or not? What action will be taken against this officer, if any?
The police might be protectors of the law but there has to be a line drawn when the police do wrong they too have to be punished like the mere mortals that they serve.
Double standards once again!!!!!!!!
Think about what you post before you post it!
Oxy Moron
says...
11:55am Sun 13 Jan 13
George.White.Bread wrote:glossopkid can be excused for this error. The style of writing suggests anger, and it is known that such emotion can affect reasoning. Support for glossopkid's view can be heard in many quarters. It is a strong argument against the arming of all police officers.
glossopkid wrote:In one breath you are asking if this officer has been punished and in the next accusing the Police of double standards which suggests that you have already made your mind up that he hasn't been punished.
So much for the police not knowing the difference between Martial Arts sword and a walking stick.
How about letting the public know if the officer who committed this act is suspended or not? What action will be taken against this officer, if any?
The police might be protectors of the law but there has to be a line drawn when the police do wrong they too have to be punished like the mere mortals that they serve.
Double standards once again!!!!!!!!
Think about what you post before you post it!
Graham Hartley
says...
8:50pm Sun 13 Jan 13
(LT Thursday 18th October 2012)
If this guidance is correct, the Taser should not have been used.
glossopkid says...
5:05pm Fri 11 Jan 13
How about letting the public know if the officer who committed this act is suspended or not? What action will be taken against this officer, if any?
The police might be protectors of the law but there has to be a line drawn when the police do wrong they too have to be punished like the mere mortals that they serve.
Double standards once again!!!!!!!!