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| West Yorkshire Police liable for knocking over elderly woman | West Yorkshire Police liable for knocking over elderly woman |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An elderly woman who was knocked to the ground during a drug arrest has won a decade-long legal battle against West Yorkshire Police. | An elderly woman who was knocked to the ground during a drug arrest has won a decade-long legal battle against West Yorkshire Police. |
| Elizabeth Robinson was injured after being trapped under two "sturdily built" police officers and a suspected drug dealer in Huddersfield in 2008. | Elizabeth Robinson was injured after being trapped under two "sturdily built" police officers and a suspected drug dealer in Huddersfield in 2008. |
| Mrs Robinson, who was 76 at the time, argued that the police had breached their duty of care towards her. | Mrs Robinson, who was 76 at the time, argued that the police had breached their duty of care towards her. |
| The Supreme Court said the force was now liable to pay her damages. | |
| West Yorkshire Deputy Chief Constable John Robins said the force acknowledged the court's decision. | |
| "We regret that an innocent member of the public was caught up in this incident, for which we apologise," he said. | |
| "Officers have to make difficult split-second decisions every day and public safety is their primary consideration." | |
| More stories from West Yorkshire | More stories from West Yorkshire |
| Mrs Robinson, who is now 86, was described in court as "relatively frail" at the time of the incident. | Mrs Robinson, who is now 86, was described in court as "relatively frail" at the time of the incident. |
| In a written judgement, Supreme Court judge Lord Robert Reed said Mrs Robinson was walking on Kirkgate when she was caught up in a tussle to arrest a man who had been seen dealing drugs in a park. | In a written judgement, Supreme Court judge Lord Robert Reed said Mrs Robinson was walking on Kirkgate when she was caught up in a tussle to arrest a man who had been seen dealing drugs in a park. |
| The men knocked into her and they "all fell to the ground with Mrs Robinson underneath", Lord Reed said. | The men knocked into her and they "all fell to the ground with Mrs Robinson underneath", Lord Reed said. |
| It was found that the officers involved "had acted negligently" as they could have chosen a safer opportunity to attempt to arrest a man who was at risk of attempting to escape. | It was found that the officers involved "had acted negligently" as they could have chosen a safer opportunity to attempt to arrest a man who was at risk of attempting to escape. |
| Mrs Robinson's solicitor, Helen Grieves, described it as a "very significant" judgment. | Mrs Robinson's solicitor, Helen Grieves, described it as a "very significant" judgment. |