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A WA couple who sued police after they were arrested and tasered in Fremantle eight years ago have been awarded more than $1 million in damages.
Robert Cunningham, an Associate Law Professor, and his wife Catherine Atoms sued the state of WA and three police officers for malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, assault and battery over an incident outside the Esplanade Hotel in November 2008.
Perth couple 'tasered' awarded more than $1million
A Perth couple will be awarded more than $1 million after launching legal action against police over a botched arrest, where a law professor and his wife were tasered. Vision: Nine News Perth.
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Perth couple 'tasered' awarded more than $1million
A Perth couple will be awarded more than $1 million after launching legal action against police over a botched arrest, where a law professor and his wife were tasered. Vision: Nine News Perth.
The pair were arrested outside the hotel during a birthday party. They were both tasered and later charged with obstructing a public officer.
But the charges were dismissed in 2010 after a magistrate described evidence given by one of the arresting officers as "extremely evasive", "imprecise" and "unconvincing."
A Perth Law School professor and his partner who were tasered by police have won a damages claim.
The couple launched civil proceedings against the three officers and the state.
On Friday in the District Court Judge Felicity Davis awarded the couple more than $1 million in damages.
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The couple's lawyer, Phil Gleeson of Maurice Blackburn, said the findings were an important milestone in his clients' long battle to have the behaviour of the police that night scrutinised.
"Being tasered, handcuffed, arrested and charged in what amounted to an unlawful arrest and use of weapons has had a profound effect on my clients' lives," Mr Gleeson said.
"They took on this civil suit after many years of unsuccessfully trying to bring the wrongful arrest and behaviour of the police to the attention of the various authorities so they could be independently investigated and appropriately addressed.
"Hopefully, today's finding will lead to permanent change and reform in how law enforcement is applied and monitored in WA."