Matthew Holdcroft successfully defends Northumbria Police in a claim for unlawful detention and assault
9th June 2023
Following a knifepoint robbery a stolen card was used at a number of venues including a McDonalds drive through. Officers attended the McDonalds and viewed the CCTV at the CCTV time that recorded the relevant card transaction. They identified a vehicle from the CCTV. There was no other evidence to connect the vehicle with the robbery.
Officers attended the registered keepers address early in the morning and identified the driver, a young male with autism, he was arrested, his home and the vehicle were searched. The male was interviewed and released. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the McDonalds CCTV timings were over 2 minutes out and that the vehicle was not connected with the robbery.
Matthew successfully argued that the attending officers’ innocent mistake, albeit an obvious investigative failing, did not render the subsequent arrest and detention unlawful.
If you have any inquiries for Matthew or would like to discuss this case or any other matters concerning alleged unlawful arrests or the arrest and detention of individuals with autism, please feel free to contact the clerking or client care team.
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