This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/8200372.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Footballer Defoe to sue police | Footballer Defoe to sue police |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Tottenham Hotspur and England footballer Jermain Defoe is to start legal action against Essex Police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. | Tottenham Hotspur and England footballer Jermain Defoe is to start legal action against Essex Police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. |
Mr Defoe's solicitor, Nick Freeman, said the footballer had authorised him to start proceedings relating to his arrest on 27 July. | Mr Defoe's solicitor, Nick Freeman, said the footballer had authorised him to start proceedings relating to his arrest on 27 July. |
Mr Defoe, 26, was stopped in his Range Rover and arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified. | Mr Defoe, 26, was stopped in his Range Rover and arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified. |
Essex Police said it was investigating the claims. | Essex Police said it was investigating the claims. |
A statement from the force said: "Essex Police is conducting an internal investigation and is liaising with Mr Defoe's legal team to ascertain the details of his complaint. | A statement from the force said: "Essex Police is conducting an internal investigation and is liaising with Mr Defoe's legal team to ascertain the details of his complaint. |
"It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time." | "It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time." |
Police apology | Police apology |
According to Mr Freeman, the Spurs striker, who lives in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, was not disqualified at the time of his arrest. | |
He had previously been banned from driving but this ban was not in effect at the time, as it was pending appeal. | He had previously been banned from driving but this ban was not in effect at the time, as it was pending appeal. |
Mr Freeman claims that Essex Police kept Mr Defoe in custody for several hours before releasing him. | |
The BBC has seen a letter of apology addressed to Mr Defoe from the acting Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police. | The BBC has seen a letter of apology addressed to Mr Defoe from the acting Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police. |
It contains a formal apology for the arrest and confirms that an internal investigation has been launched. | It contains a formal apology for the arrest and confirms that an internal investigation has been launched. |
Nick Freeman added that his client was suing the police as a matter of principle, and that should he win, any money would be donated to charity. | Nick Freeman added that his client was suing the police as a matter of principle, and that should he win, any money would be donated to charity. |
The striker scored both goals for England in a 2-2 draw away to the Netherlands on Wednesday night. |