A 53-year-old grandfather from Edmonton in north London who was tasered by police after buying a luxury car previously linked to gun crime is suing the police for damages.
The court heard that, in 2005, businessman Daniel Sylvester bought the Mercedes ML four-wheel drive from the girlfriend of a man who had a history as a violent drug dealer.
In the course of nine months between 2007 and 2008 he was stopped on three occasions by police officers while driving the car – and on one occasion was tasered by police officers.
Mr Sylvester told the court that the pain from the Taser was so intense that he thought he was dying.
He is suing the Metropolitan Police for alleged assault and false imprisonment. His lawyer told the Central London County Court that the police had “gone completely over the top”.
Mr Sylvester – who owns a security company – bought the car for £5,000. He took it to the police after finding small hole in a window, which he thought might have been caused by a gunshot. However, it transpired the hole had been caused by a ball bearing.
The court heard that in the following three months, however, Mr Sylvester – who is black – was stopped by police on anti-gun crime operations on three occasions.
The security boss was searched on the first occasion – but armed police in Dalston, east London, tasered him on the second occasion he was stopped in October 2007.
He got rid of the car after armed police stopped him again in Dalston the following year.
The Met Police are contesting Mr Sylvester’s claim for damages, and deny excessive force was used – and say that any force used was justified.
The Met Police also deny that Mr Sylvester was fired at more than once with a Taser. The lawyer for the Met Police accused Mr Sylvester of “exaggerating” his account of what happened.
The hearing continues.
Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Claims against the Police
Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of no win no fee claims solicitors and can advise on how to make a claim against the police, if injury was a result of negligent police activity – such as an arrest using undue force, or injuries resulting from uncontrolled police dogs or negligent use of a Taser.
Duncan Lewis claims solicitors can also advise on claims relating to civil liberties cases involving wrongful arrest, unlawful detention and stop and search.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Claims against the Police, call Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.