NASSAU-A customs officer falsely accused of publishing an insulting song about former Prime Minister Perry Christie has won a $60,000 judgment.
Police held Kevin Collie for 32 hours in 2016 as they investigated him on suspicion of intentional libel.
However, the prime minister had not made a complaint when police arrested Collie.
Officers arrested Collie on his job at the Customs Marine Unit on August 11, 2016. However, they did not immediately provide the reason for his arrest. They later searched his home for stolen property, drugs and firearms.
After police released Collie another man admitted to creating the rude song.
Collie claims he still suffers from post-traumatic stress as a result of his arrest. Now, he says he’s afraid of small spaces.
In a lawsuit Collie sought damages for false imprisonment and unlawful detention.
Collie said that he supported the Progressive Liberal Party. He explained he had shared the song in a WhatsApp group to inform members about the verbal attack on their prime minister.
In a ruling delivered on June 24, Justice Diane Stewart found that police had unlawfully arrested Collie.
She wrote, “Given the evidence, there is no way they could have reasonable believed the plaintiff was actually guilty of the offence.”
At the time of Collie’s arrest, the arresting officer admitted that he only knew Collie’s name and the intended charge.
The officers admitted that they broke procedure by taking Collie straight to the Central Detective Unit after his arrest, instead of the nearest police station.
She ruled, “His unlawful arrest was excessive as he was not only unreasonably handcuffed but was unnecessarily guarded by eight to 10 officers at all times.”
Justice Stewart also awarded legal costs.
Wayne Munroe QC and Alex Morley represented Collie. Kirkland Mackey and Kenny Thompson appeared for the Crown.
