Disabled dad ‘assaulted by police’ wins compensation after tooth ‘broken’
Lee Fraser, 48, was returning from Lidl supermarket with his wife when he was tackled to the ground by two officers in Dundee in March 2021 and later won a settlement from Police Scotland
Lee Fraser has won his case against the police(Image: )
A disabled father who took legal action against Police Scotland after alleging he was restrained and assaulted by officers has secured a compensation settlement.
Lee Fraser, 48, had been travelling back from Lidl with his spouse when he was brought to the ground by two constables in Dundee during March 2021.
The father-of-one, who was recuperating from back surgery and suffers from brain cysts, claimed he was struck in the face and torso, with the alleged attack seeing officers damaged his tooth.
Mr Fraser faced charges of assault and resisting arrest, but was subsequently cleared of all accusations at court.
Despite his spouse recording the incident, the Police Investigations Review Commissioner rejected a formal complaint citing “insufficient evidence”, reports the Daily Record.
He initiated legal proceedings against Police Scotland, alleging he had been subjected to an unlawful arrest.
His legal representatives Digby Brown confirmed the case was resolved in October for a confidential amount.
Mr Fraser chose not to provide comment regarding the settlement.
Video evidence of the encounter was captured by his wife Sheryl, 46, during the incident.
Constables in a patrol van stopped the pair’s Vauxhall Astra.
The couple exited their vehicle to approach the police officers, but as they did so, the constables leapt from their van.
Recounting the ordeal, Mr Fraser stated: “The first cop was screaming at my wife to get back inside the car and grabbed her. A second officer rushed at me so I ended up pinned against my open car door next to the steering wheel. He was so close and aggressive I felt his saliva hit my face. He was out of control.
“He then shouted that I was not being compliant and that I needed to go to the floor – that’s when my wife was starting to panic and begged the officers to stop because of my condition.
“She pulled out the car’s blue badge to show officers and they looked at it, said something like ‘We understand’, but they kept laying into me – it didn’t change their behaviour one bit.”
Mr Fraser has previously expressed his disappointment at never receiving an apology and feels that legal action is the only way to hold Police Scotland accountable.
He commented: “Police Scotland continually tell us they are here to ‘keep people safe’ – well can they protect us from themselves? If the force has any shred of decency they’d stop their people acting like a gang of militants, take action against those who dishonour the uniform and do right by the victims.”
Theresa Mutapi, Partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, assisted Lee in settling his miscarriage of justice claim.
She remarked: “What happened to Lee was unreasonable and unjustified – we know this due to the lack of evidence to explain why his car was stopped and subsequent inconsistencies in officer evidence.
“Police officers are supposed to be among the most trusted professionals in our society which often leaves victims feeling like they have no chance of holding cops accountable however I hope this outcome assures people there are other routes to justice.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed: “We are aware the case was settled out of court. We have no further comment.”
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