Pay-out over hunt saboteurs
DERBYSHIRE police have had to pay out £38,300 in compensation after 11 anti-hunt protesters were wrongfully arrested.
Lawyers for the protesters said they were not breaking any laws when, while following a hunt, they were chased and arrested before being handcuffed to each other and forced to walk across several fields.
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Derbyshire Police badge
Law firm Irwin Mitchell said that the protesters, from the Hunt Saboteurs' Association, were "harmlessly" following the Meynell and South Staffordshire hunt when the incident occurred in January last year.
Irwin Mitchell negotiated an out-of-court settlement with Derbyshire Constabulary, for a combined total compensation of £38,300.
And it said the force, which admitted the incident was a "mistake", has also agreed to destroy any new fingerprints, DNA records and photographs of seven of the protesters from the Police National Computer.
Iftikhar Manzoor, from Irwin Mitchell, said: "My clients were arrested under the Trade Union Regulations Act for disrupting a lawful activity, despite members of the hunt admitting they were no trouble or confrontation."
He said several police vehicles and a police helicopter turned up at the hunt before formally arresting the protesters and taking them into custody at Derby.
"Sending several police cars and a helicopter to confront a group of peaceful hunt protesters seems to be a little over the top and the police need to ensure they have cause to make arrests before they take innocent people into custody."
All 11 of the protesters were held in cells overnight, and then interviewed and released on bail the following day.
No charges were brought against any of them.
One of the protesters, Sarah Lloyd, from Nottingham, who received £3,500 in damages, said: "Although I am very pleased with the outcome of our claim, the compensation in no way exonerates the police. I hope that they have learnt from their actions.
"Hunting with hounds is illegal, yet many hunts are exploiting loopholes in the law to pursue their slaughter in the name of sport.
"As hunt saboteurs, we will always intervene, using non-violent tactics to save the lives of hunted animals, and we will never be deterred by the threat of heavy-handed policing."
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Goodwin said: "Derbyshire Constabulary can confirm that it has come to an out-of-court settlement relating to the arrest of 11 people in January last year.
"A claim for unlawful arrest and detention was made against the force and an early offer of settlement was made.
"A total of £38,300 compensation was agreed.
"The force and individual officers will learn from the mistake."
38 Comments
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by Will, Forest Lad
Wednesday, September 09 2009, 12:22PM
“So our hard earned taxpayers money is going to be sent to a bunch of balaclava wearing time wasters, most on benefits, most deserving of an arrest. Apparently they were not on this occasion interferring with a lawful activity but in the sam breath hunt Sab Sarah Lloyd says "we will always intervene". So money from the police pocket to a bunch of layabouts that regularly breack the law. This country makes me sick!”
by Plod, Derby
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:58PM
“I would have thought my first post made my feelings on the topic quite clear to anyone who can read.”
by Plod, Derby
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:56PM
“"I bet you wouldnt be so "brave" if the foxes could shoot back !". Yawn... "I assume...", "I guess...", "I bet..." all followed by aburd comments. Any chance of a fact or two?”
by Plod, Derby
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:53PM
“John - it is clear to all who wheels out the 'unpleasantaries' - quote "what an obnoxious individual you are. For your information I have never drawn any benefit in my life - unlike you I would guess". Rams Fan - you were too subtle. John, he was trying to tell you it is spelt 'incompetence' - the irony comment should have rung a bell...”
by John, mickleover
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:52PM
“Andy L., Washington, Pennsylvania - What a radid outbust ?
I bet you wouldnt be so "brave" if the foxes could shoot back !
Poorly educated, bigotted, and ignorant with a belief that they somehow are superior to others when , in fact, they are inferior and little more than savages. That sums up the America that you portray by your inane drivel.”
by John, mickleover
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:48PM
“Plod, Derby - the only weakness is between your ears.
Not an original comment in any of your postings - just pathetic attempts to make yourself look "clever". Are you really that sad that you can only feel "important" when you are safe behind the anonymity of these pages?
Clearly you have nothing to contribute as none of your postings have addressed the topic.”
by john, mickleover
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:45PM
“rams fan - I suggest to read all the postings. I made a valid point. I was then subjected to unsavoury comments by the sad element that haunts these pages only to annoy others.
And what I stated at the start was - that the taxpayer should not pay for police officers incompitence. Each oficer should take out public liability insurance - no insurance no job. The same should apply to every public servant, just as it does to industry and the self employed.
Maybe you are happy to see your taxes wasted paying for incompitence - I am not.”
by Plod, Derby
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:35PM
“Odd that John. There must be so many people you have that opinion of, as you do the same day in, day out. Similar wording, similar labelling, same put-downs. I think it says more about you than the many posters who hold an alternate view to yours, at whom you address your angst when challenged. I see it whenever I read these pages. I think you need to look a little nearer to home for the weaknesses.”
by Rams Fan, Oakwood
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:23PM
“John of Mickleover:
You started this debate off with an absurd suggestion regarding docking individuals' pay or pension for what amounts to a mistake, citing wanton disregard for public funds as the likely cause of these arrests.
You then reply to Plod, banging on about sarcasm where clearly none is present; do you know what the word even means? You accused Bronson of the same thing, again without merit.. and you seek to personally attack the posters rather than address the points they're making.
Are you angry with the world? Look, if you can't form a sensible opinion on this subject, find an article you can understand and enter into a debate rather than creating a slanging match to try to cover your ignorance.
Definition of irony? "Incompitence"
As for the saboteurs... if they are transgressed against and believe they deserve compensation, a point to which the Law agrees evidently, then whether they are employed/unemployed/drop outs doesn't really matter, does it?”
by John English, Derby
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:21PM
“Oooh! Pot, Kettle ?”