An innocent man who underwent emergency eye surgery following his arrest and alleged police assault has received a substantial five-figure compensation. Anthony Giblin, aged 59, sustained a fractured eye socket and faced potential vision loss in his right eye after being struck during his arrest. He asserted that four officers forcefully pushed him onto a cell bed, removed his clothes, and left him injured for 10 minutes without assistance.
The incident occurred in July 2021 when Anthony was apprehended for suspected breach of a court order and transported to Swinton police station in Greater Manchester. He was among three individuals who testified at the independent Baird Inquiry, a study primarily focused on females, investigating the treatment of individuals detained by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). The inquiry revealed instances of illegal arrests, strip searches, and instances of humiliation in custody.
GMP has reached a settlement in Anthony’s civil lawsuit outside of court, awarding him an undisclosed five-figure sum. Despite receiving urgent medical treatment to alleviate swelling behind his eye, Anthony now experiences permanent numbness and a slight but lasting reduction in eyesight, in addition to enduring psychological trauma from the distressing incident.
Recalling the harrowing experience, Anthony expressed his ongoing anxiety and lack of trust towards law enforcement, stating that the ordeal continues to haunt him. His legal representatives argued that the officers’ actions were part of a broader pattern of misconduct highlighted in the Baird Inquiry report, emphasizing the severity of the incident.
In a heartfelt response, Anthony shared his disbelief and emotional breakdown upon being acknowledged by Dame Vera Baird for his courage in sharing his ordeal. Following the assault, Anthony was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital, where medical scans confirmed severe injuries, requiring immediate surgery to prevent permanent vision loss.
Lauren Halliday, a civil liberties lawyer at Broudie Jackson Canter, underlined the significant psychological impact on Anthony and condemned the abuse of power that led to his life-altering injuries and mental anguish. The police’s duty to maintain public safety and uphold the law in a fair manner was emphasized, stressing that no individual should undergo such severe consequences while under police custody.
A GMP representative confirmed that the settlement was made without prejudice, indicating a resolution to the legal matter without admission of guilt or liability.
