Almost six years after a retired police inspector was assaulted and wrongfully arrested by security officers at the San Fernando General Hospital, the security firm has agreed to pay him $60,000 in damages plus his legal costs.
After being assaulted, arrested and charged, Christopher Reid, 71, sued the Innovative Security Technologies Ltd and on May 9 last year before Justice Andre des Vignes, the security firm admitted liability. He was represented by attorney Kevin Ratiram.
When the assessment for damages came up before Master Marissa Robertson yesterday, an order was made by consent for the security firm to pay Reid $60,000 in damages and $7,500 in costs.
However, a 28-day stay of execution was ordered.
Reid, an outpatient of the San Fernando General Hospital, went to the hospital on June 15, 2009 because he had a clinic appointment.
When he arrived at the entrance of the hospital's car park in his vehicle around 9 am, a female security guard told him to drive up, turn around and return to car-park entrance to park.
He complied with her instructions.
But, when he returned Estate Constable Darren Maharaj allowed three vehicles in front of Reid to enter the car park and told him to go back down the hill to the compound's entrance, turn and come back up the hill.
According to court documents, Reid told Maharaj he had an appointment, but he was ignored. The EC then allowed two vehicles that were behind Reid into the car-park.
Reid again informed Maharaj that he had an appointment, but Maharaj responded angrily and refused to allow him to park.
Reid then drove into the car park and parked his vehicle.
When Reid came out and was locking his vehicle, Maharaj approached him from behind, grabbed his arm, tripped him and pushed him face-down to the ground.
Reid's face, forehead and mouth struck the ground. Maharaj then placed his knees on Reid's back. Two other security officers then handcuffed Reid. After pleading for medical treatment, Reid was taken to the hospital where he was treated for abrasions and bruises to his face, right knee, left knee, left shoulder right hand and multiple soft tissue injuries.
Reid was then walked while handcuffed to the police station where he was charged with resisting arrest, obscene language and assaulting EC Maharaj.
The charges, however, were in May 2010 dismissed by San Fernando Magistrate Alicia Chankar for want of prosecution.