Policeman launches legal action against a shop owner after 'falling in a drain during burglary call-out' just days after a policewoman sues for tripping over a kerb
A police officer is suing a burglary victim for £10,000 after allegedly falling into a drain while investigating a break-in.
PC Richard Seymour says he tore an Achilles tendon and spent four months in a cast after the fall during a 4am call-out to the man's shop in March last year.
The 34-year-old officer is now suing owner Stuart Lambley for 'loss of overtime' during his six-month absence from work – despite being on full pay throughout this time.
A letter from PC Seymour's lawyers adds that the officer also missed out on special duties during the London 2012 Olympics – something which came as a 'bitter disappointment' to him.
Mr Lambley said: 'I was in complete shock when I received the letter last month.
'I won't be calling the police any more. I don't see the point. Not if there's a danger of getting sued. It should not be allowed.'
The claim emerges just days after WPC Kelly Jones sparked public outrage and was criticised by her own chief constable for suing a burglary victim for £50,000. She claims she injured her leg and wrist after tripping over a kerb while investigating at a petrol station in Thetford, Norfolk.
Mr Lambley, 36, who owns Maidenhead Aquatics in West Horsley, Surrey, branded PC Seymour's action, which is expected to seek £10,000, as 'disgusting'.
He added: 'He has signed up to be a police officer, he knows there is some risk involved.
'It's ridiculous and disgusting that a copper should think it is okay to sue someone who has called him for help.'
Last night Surrey Police Chief
Constable Lynne Owens said the force did not support PC Seymour's action
and would investigate. She added the 'vast majority' of her officers
would 'never consider making a private compensation claim against a
victim of crime'.
Mr Lambley, who has been in the aquatics business for more than 20 years, said the burglary, in which his safe was broken into and property damaged, has already cost him more than £2,000 in losses and repairs.
'We had a number of break-ins around that period and each time the police didn't catch anyone,' he added. 'On this occasion, again no one was caught and instead I've been landed with this. He said he does not even know where PC Seymour fell and said officers had arrived at the property before him after responding to an automatic alarm.
He said: 'I saw him attempt to climb over the fence to get in. I saw that PC Seymour was hobbling a bit. But he didn't mention falling into a drain or a manhole.
'If he wants to try to climb over a fence then that's his business. The whole claim is ridiculous.'
PC Seymour's lawyers, London-based Slater & Gordon, claim Mr Lambley's business exposed him to a 'foreseeable risk'. Their letter states: 'Our client fell into an open downpipe drain which was not covered at the time. It was extremely dark and our client didn't see the opening.'
It was not possible to reach PC Seymour, who lives in Old Basing, Hampshire, for comment last night but on Thursday he confirmed he had launched the action, adding: 'I'm waiting to hear something back.'
Surrey Police said it had supported
his recovery and rehabilitation through its occupational health
department since he was injured on March 28 last year.
It confirmed he remained on full pay and had returned to full duties since September.
Chief Constable Owens said: 'This is a private claim made by an officer and is not supported or funded by the force.'
As well as receiving treatment at a charity-funded police convalescent home and an NHS hospital, PC Seymour's lawyers claim he needed private chiropractic treatment. In a joint statement with the Police Federation they said: 'It is entirely wrong officers who sustain injuries through no fault of their own whilst trying to protect the public should be singled out in this way.'
It is estimated that police officers pocket £20million a year in personal injury claims.
PC Richard Seymour says he tore an Achilles tendon and spent four months in a cast after the fall during a 4am call-out to the man's shop in March last year.
The 34-year-old officer is now suing owner Stuart Lambley for 'loss of overtime' during his six-month absence from work – despite being on full pay throughout this time.
A letter from PC Seymour's lawyers adds that the officer also missed out on special duties during the London 2012 Olympics – something which came as a 'bitter disappointment' to him.
Mr Lambley said: 'I was in complete shock when I received the letter last month.
'I won't be calling the police any more. I don't see the point. Not if there's a danger of getting sued. It should not be allowed.'
The claim emerges just days after WPC Kelly Jones sparked public outrage and was criticised by her own chief constable for suing a burglary victim for £50,000. She claims she injured her leg and wrist after tripping over a kerb while investigating at a petrol station in Thetford, Norfolk.
Mr Lambley, 36, who owns Maidenhead Aquatics in West Horsley, Surrey, branded PC Seymour's action, which is expected to seek £10,000, as 'disgusting'.
He added: 'He has signed up to be a police officer, he knows there is some risk involved.
'It's ridiculous and disgusting that a copper should think it is okay to sue someone who has called him for help.'
Maidenhead Aquatic Center in West Horsley is
being sued a year after a police officer investigating a burglary at the
premises claimed he fell on an uncovered manhole cover. Owner Stuart
Lambley is pictured with a solicitor's letter
Legal documents sent to the centre informing them that they are to be sued
Mr Lambley, who has been in the aquatics business for more than 20 years, said the burglary, in which his safe was broken into and property damaged, has already cost him more than £2,000 in losses and repairs.
'We had a number of break-ins around that period and each time the police didn't catch anyone,' he added. 'On this occasion, again no one was caught and instead I've been landed with this. He said he does not even know where PC Seymour fell and said officers had arrived at the property before him after responding to an automatic alarm.
He said: 'I saw him attempt to climb over the fence to get in. I saw that PC Seymour was hobbling a bit. But he didn't mention falling into a drain or a manhole.
'If he wants to try to climb over a fence then that's his business. The whole claim is ridiculous.'
PC Seymour's lawyers, London-based Slater & Gordon, claim Mr Lambley's business exposed him to a 'foreseeable risk'. Their letter states: 'Our client fell into an open downpipe drain which was not covered at the time. It was extremely dark and our client didn't see the opening.'
It was not possible to reach PC Seymour, who lives in Old Basing, Hampshire, for comment last night but on Thursday he confirmed he had launched the action, adding: 'I'm waiting to hear something back.'
Another lawsuit: Kelly Jones, left, has
instructed solicitors to take action against petrol station owner Steve
Jones, right, for 'failing to ensure' her safety during a routine
break-in investigation
It confirmed he remained on full pay and had returned to full duties since September.
Chief Constable Owens said: 'This is a private claim made by an officer and is not supported or funded by the force.'
As well as receiving treatment at a charity-funded police convalescent home and an NHS hospital, PC Seymour's lawyers claim he needed private chiropractic treatment. In a joint statement with the Police Federation they said: 'It is entirely wrong officers who sustain injuries through no fault of their own whilst trying to protect the public should be singled out in this way.'
It is estimated that police officers pocket £20million a year in personal injury claims.