By Benjamin Wright
Press Association Mediapoint
Police have made a “substantial” out-of-court settlement after stopping a man’s car and smashing its windows, lawyers said.
Retired businessman Robert Whatley, 73, of Usk, Monmouthshire, South Wales, took legal action over a 17-minute pursuit for not wearing a seat belt.
The officers were later cleared in a disciplinary hearing and Gwent Police has made no admission of liability.
But it has been reported the payment made to Mr Whatley is “in excess of £20,000.”
The grandfather, who claimed for post-traumatic stress disorder, has already received more than £8,000 from the force after claiming for damage to his Range Rover.
His solicitors said Gwent Police had also agreed to pay “all reasonable” costs for the legal action.
A key piece in Mr Whatley’s lawyers submission was a copy of the police video of the 2009 incident, which was later uploaded to YouTube.
He had driven off without wearing a seat belt and was followed for several miles along country roads between Cwmbran and Usk.
Mr Whatley was later found guilty of not wearing a seat belt, failing to stop for a police officer and having tinted car windows that did not conform to legal requirements.
He also admitted having a registration plate which did not adhere to regulations and was fined a total of £235 and ordered to pay £300 towards prosecution costs at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court.
But he was cleared of failing to stop after an accident.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) later supervised an investigation into the incident, but a disciplinary panel made up of officers from another force cleared the two Gwent officers, whose identity has not been revealed.
It found their actions were justified given the circumstances.
Regarding the out-of-court settlement, Gwent Deputy Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said: “Gwent Police have not accepted any liability in this matter, however contesting the matter further would have incurred substantial legal costs if the case had gone to court.
“Therefore, whilst we maintain our position we do not admit liability, a decision was made to settle the matter out of court on financial grounds.”
Copyright 2012 The Press Association Limited