Jevon Craig awarded $100,000 after High Court rules arrest and detention unlawful

Jevon Craig has been awarded $100,000 in damages after the High Court ruled that his arrest and approximately 66 hours in police custody during a robbery investigation were unlawful, the Trinidad Express reported. Justice Sherlanne Pierre ruled in Craig’s favour on Thursday in his claim against the Office of the Attorney General for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment. The award includes an uplift for aggravated damages, with interest and costs also ordered. Craig was arrested on August 24, 2023, in connection with a robbery with aggravation reported to the Arima Police Station 12 days earlier. He remained in custody until August 27, when he was released without charge. According to the report, police relied on a description of an alleged robber and the nickname “Tallo” to identify Craig as a suspect. Under cross-examination, the arresting officer, PC Justin Durity, acknowledged that he had neither examined the original report nor reviewed statements from the alleged victims before making the arrest. Durity, who had about 27 years of service, testified that he acted on information and instructions from the investigating officer, WPC Khadisha Augustus. Police executed a search warrant at Craig’s Carapo home later on the day of his arrest. Nothing illegal was found. His substantive interview did not take place until the evening of August 26, about two days after he was arrested. He was released the following morning. The court examined both the information available to police at the time of the arrest and the legal justification for continuing to hold Craig while investigations proceeded. Craig testified, while the State called Durity, Augustus and Cpl Robert Fortune, a senior officer attached to the Arima Criminal Investigations Division. After hearing the evidence and submissions, Justice Pierre entered judgment for Craig. In addition to the $100,000 damages award, the court ordered interest at 2.5 per cent annually from the date the claim was served until judgment, together with costs.