Ashley family to sue police
Family of James Ashley told
they can sue police
24th April 2008
all credits: The Mirror
The family of a man shot dead by police while naked and unarmed were yesterday told they can sue for assault. Five law lords gave relatives of James Ashley the go-ahead to launch a civil case after dismissing a bid by the force to block any such hearing.
The 39-year-old was shot by PC Chris Sherwood when police raided his flat in 1998 looking for drugs. James’ sister Pauline, 45, said last night: “This is fantastic news. “We have been fighting for this for the last 10 years. It’s a great victory for the little man in the street.”
PC Sherwood was acquitted of the murder of James in Hastings, East Sussex. He claimed he acted in self-defence, believing he would be shot. Police had argued that a civil case could not be brought because the officer had been cleared in a criminal court. They claimed the shooting was an “honest mistake”.
The Ashley family, from Liverpool, hope to prove James was unlawfully killed. Pauline said they will talk to a solicitor over their next move in the fight.
