A jury has found that police officers used excessive and unnecessary force against Mr Frank Shannon, who was represented by Ifeanyi Odogwu.
After a five-day trial before HHJ Parker at the Liverpool Civil and Family Court last week, a jury found that officers from Merseyside Police had used excessive and unnecessary force against the claimant, Mr Frank Shannon.
Up to 15 police officers from the Matrix Disruption Team had attended Mr Shannon's home address to execute a warrant. Mr Shannon was in his bedroom with his two young sons, aged five and seven, at the time of the arrest. He was taken outside his home by officers, restrained against the wall, placed in handcuffs, and struck on the back. Despite being surrounded by police officers and handcuffed, Mr Shannon was tasered twice, including once while he was lying on the floor.
An out-of-court settlement regarding compensation was agreed.
The case highlights how police officers can misuse taser, despite guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers that minimum force should be used, and that taser should only be used where necessary and proportionate. The case also demonstrates why there has recently been growing public concern about the rapid rise in the use of tasers by national police forces. It also underlines the importance of the legal system holding the police to account in order to protect members of the public.
Ifeanyi was instructed by Chris Topping of Broudie Jackson Canter.
Ifeanyi Odogwu is a member of the Garden Court Chambers Claims Against the Police and Public Authorities Team.
