Anthony Green wins 
landmark ruling

by Andrew Green

Anthony Green was run over by plainclothes police driving an unmarked car in Bressingham Close, Burngreave, three years ago. His thigh was shattered. The very first edition of the Messenger reported: 
“He was knocked off his bicycle … frightened, he started to run, but the car followed and knocked him down again…”

A protest demonstration, led by Anthony on crutches, heard solicitor Mike McColgan suggest that ‘attempted murder’ would be an appropriate description of the police driver’s action. 

Following an investigation by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), driver Detective Sergeant Andrew Lawrence was convicted on a minor driving charge. The PCA ruled he should face no

Acting for Anthony, Peter Mahy of Howells Solicitors challenged the ruling in the High Court. He asked the PCA to disclose a video and witness statements obtained by them in the course of their investigation. The PCA refused. But Mr Justice Moses overruled them. Under articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the materials must be disclosed so the complainant could participate fully in the investigation process. 

This means that the PCA will have to make major changes. To date it consistently refused to show any of the results of its investigations to complainants, and gave them no chance to comment before any decision on disciplinary action was reached. 

Thanks to Anthony’s persistence, people who complain about the police in future should be able to see what the PCA investigation discovers, and to make representations to them before they reach a decision.

Richard Allan LibDem MP for Sheffield Hallam is calling on David Blunkett, Home Secretary and Brightside MP to hold a public enquiry into the incident and the PCA investigation.

Contact: Howells Solicitors, 
15-17 Bridge Street, S3 8NL, 
Tel: 0114 249 6647

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