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ARTICLE · 29 OCTOBER 2010

A Greek Tragedy in Central London

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP
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This trial of claims for police misfeasance, which rose from a three-day trial estimate to a seven-day hearing thanks to a combination of snowbound jurors and verbose claimant witnesses, had all the hallmarks of a Greek tragedy as a tale of family discord was played out in the unprepossessing surroundings of Central London County Court.

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Catherine Kearney
Catherine Kearney

Francis Churchill v Thames Valley Police and Patrick Churchill v Thames Valley Police, Central London County Court, January 2010

This trial of claims for police misfeasance, which rose from a three-day trial estimate to a seven-day hearing thanks to a combination of snowbound jurors and verbose claimant witnesses, had all the hallmarks of a Greek tragedy as a tale of family discord was played out in the unprepossessing surroundings of Central London County Court.

Background

Francis Churchill, a 41-year-old unemployed man living at home with his elderly parents, was arrested by two police officers in his bedroom on 6 August 2004, following a complaint to them earlier that day by his mother of assault on her three weeks beforehand. His father, Patrick Churchill, aged 85 at the time of the trial, brought his own claim for assault. The two cases were heard together before HHJ Paul Collins, and jury. 

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