The Metropolitan Police has reached an out-of-court settlement with a retired ballet dancer who was shot with a Taser weapon during a bungled dawn raid at his London home. The case highlights serious concerns about police procedures and the impact of such errors on vulnerable individuals.
Case Details and Incident Overview
Roy Morton, an 80-year-old man with a pacemaker who lives alone, was subjected to a traumatic police operation at his residence in Cricklewood, north-west London, on 28 December 2021. Firearms officers forced entry into his home, stunned him with a Taser at close range, restrained him, and arrested him for affray before detaining him for 11 hours. He was subsequently released without any further action being taken.
Mistaken Identity and Police Error
The raid was conducted in error, as police were actually searching for a black man in his 20s. This mistake occurred due to a call handler's error, which led officers to the wrong address. Morton, who is white and was 80 at the time, described feeling "diminished" by the ordeal, stating that he lost his sense of safety and calm in his own home.
Legal Proceedings and Settlement
Morton filed a civil claim against the Metropolitan Police, alleging negligence, assault and battery, false imprisonment, and breaches of his rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private life. The case was scheduled for a hearing in February, but the Met agreed to settle out of court without accepting liability. No misconduct issues were identified in an internal investigation by the force.
Impact on Health and Well-being
During the incident, bodycam footage captured armed officers entering Morton's home, shining torches and shouting, before he was tasered. He fell backwards and was handcuffed. Due to concerns about the effect of the Taser on his pacemaker, Morton was transferred to a hospital while in detention. He later expressed that the experience left him feeling physically and mentally diminished, as if he had "aged into an old man overnight."
Statements from Legal Representative and Police
Rachel Harger of Bindmans law firm, who represented Morton, criticised the prolonged denial and delay in the case, noting that it became a source of real harm despite an early public acknowledgment of the error. DCS Neil Smithson, who leads on professionalism at the Met, issued a wholehearted apology to Morton, acknowledging the impact of the incident and the time taken to resolve it. He stated that the Met has reviewed the circumstances and implemented specific training procedures for call handlers to prevent similar instances in the future.
Broader Implications and Lessons Learned
This settlement raises questions about police accountability and the handling of sensitive operations, particularly involving elderly or vulnerable individuals. The Met's commitment to training improvements aims to address procedural flaws, but the case underscores the need for swift and transparent resolutions in such matters to avoid further distress to victims.
