Formby dad James Parry wins five-year battle to clear name over unlawful arrest

Liverpool Lawyer James Parry awarded compensation after being wrongfully arrested at Birkenhead police station

Solicitors James Parry (left) and Kevin Donoghue

A high-profile Liverpool solicitor won a five-year battle to clear his name after being unlawfully arrested by Merseyside Police.

James Parry was awarded £9,000 compensation after a judge found that police wrongfully arrested the solicitor when he voluntarily attended a police station for an interview.

The Formby dad-of-two was called to answer a theft allegation made by a former practice partner after a fall-out in 2010.

Mr Parry, 54, was told that because he was attending voluntarily to the police station in Birkenhead for interview, there was no need to arrest him but, when he got to the station, the lawyer of 21 years was arrested on suspicion of stealing money from his former firm, Birkenhead-based Nadim Associates Solicitors.

He was released on bail after interview over five hours later. No charges were brought and the police later confirmed that no further action would be taken in respect of the theft allegation.

At Liverpool County Court a judge decided that it was not necessary to have arrested the solicitor and that he was deliberately misled by the arresting officer.

Mr Parry’s solicitor Kevin Donoghue, who specialises in civil actions against the police, said he was shocked to hear the officer claim that it was his “tactic” not to tell people who attend for a voluntary interview that they would be arrested on arrival.

Mr Donoghue said: “The officer said he felt this ‘tactic’ was ‘not misleading’. I don’t know how it could be interpreted any other way, and the judge agreed.”

Mr Parry was “satisfied” with the court’s ruling, Mr Donoghue said, but was a “reluctant litigant”.

He said: “What happened to James was a nightmare scenario for a solicitor.

“His reputation and good name were greatly harmed by the officer’s unnecessary act. He had no option but to fight for justice, which, by coincidence, was achieved on Human Rights Day.

“Despite his relief, James is disappointed that Merseyside Police chose to prolong matters by fighting his legitimate claim all the way to trial.

“They could, and should, have accepted wrongdoing much earlier.”

Mr Parry, who has worked on Merseyside since 1990, is now a partner in the firm Parry Welch Lacey, in Page Moss.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police notes the decision of the court and will abide by its ruling. “The force carefully considered this civil action and it was thoroughly examined by our legal department who also sought external legal advice.

“As a result it was decided that it was appropriate to defend the claim and test the facts in court.”

Story and photo source: Liverpool Echo by JOHN SIDDLE