The High Court has awarded $1 Million in damages plus Court costs to former Assistant Commissioner of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Paul Slowe, after finding that his Constitutional right to personal liberty was violated during an arrest at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court back in 2021.
In a judgment this week, Justice Nicola Pierre found that Slowe’s right to personal liberty which is protected under Article 139 of the Constitution, had been infringed when Police officers restrained him at the Magistrates’ Court, despite his attendance there in response to a Court summons.
Slowe had been attending Court in relation to a summons when officers sought to arrest him.
According to the judgment, there was no lawful basis for the arrest and the restraint which continued for approximately 10 minutes even after Attorneys informed the officers that the arrest was unlawful.
According to Slowe’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes, the State admitted liability for assault, battery and false imprisonment.
Justice Pierre awarded Slowe G$800,000 in compensatory damages for assault, battery and false imprisonment, together with a further G$200,000 in vindicatory damages for the breach of his Constitutional right to personal liberty.
The Court also awarded costs of G$250,000, bringing the total judgment and costs to G$1.25 million.
In her ruling, Justice Pierre emphasized that Police powers must be exercised strictly in accordance with the law, and underscored the importance of Constitutional safeguards against arbitrary arrest and detention.
Slowe was represented by Attorneys Nigel Hughes and Kiswana Jefford of Hughes Fields & Stoby.
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