Former policeman wins payout after wrongful imprisonment
26 Jan 2012
A former policeman has received compensation after being
falsely accused of a crime
and imprisoned.
Sultan Alam will receive at least GBP480,000 from Cleveland Police
after serving half of an 18-month jail term for handling stolen car
parts in 1996.
In 2007 his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal after
finding officers suppressed evidence which could have cleared him
of the crime.
Mr Alam insists that he was the victim of racial prejudice.
Four of his colleagues were arrested for conspiracy to pervert the
course of justice but were later cleared in court.
However, Mr Alam was awarded the compensation after Cleveland
Police admitted liability for the breach of his
civil liberties as a
result of a "malicious prosecution" by staff on the force.
Part of the compensation will be for the loss of earnings Mr Alam
sustained by being unable to continue his career with the
force.
"I don't want to say that I am pleased with the compensation as
this has never been about money," Mr Alam said after the
ruling.
"I loved my job and I looked forward to progressing in my career.
But the only way the courts can compensate me now is by using a
pound sign."
Jules Mattsson, a photographer, also recently received compensation
when a court found he was wrongfully arrested for breaching the
peace while taking pictures at a public event.
He received a formal apology from the force and was paid GBP4,000
in compensation following the incident.
