Simon Ridding was instructed by Vivien Lee of Express Solicitors in a civil action against a police force that recently settled for £17,000.

The claim was brought on behalf of a vulnerable domestic violence victim who had been exploited by a serving police officer who was supposed to help her. The officer had been convicted of misconduct in public office and computer misuse offences, receiving a custodial sentence.

Simon drafted the particulars alleging misfeasance in public office, breaches of Article 3 ECHR, and contraventions of the Data Protection Act 2018. The claim involved compelling issues of vicarious liability for the officer's misconduct which was committed whilst on duty. This was in addition to systemic failures to investigate domestic violence reports and protect the claimant from ongoing harm.

The case settled, securing compensation for the claimant who had suffered psychological injury as a result of the officer's abuse of his position of trust.