Hobbins, Earl v The Attorney General & Constable Mark Watson

 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF JAMAICA

CL -

CLAIM NO. 1998lH 196 \

BETWEEN EARL HOBBINS CLAIMANT

AND THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL 1 ST DEFENDANT

AND CONSTABLE MARK WATSON 2ND DEFENDANT

Mr. Carlton Williams instructed by Williams, McKoy and Palmer for Claimant -

C Mr. P. Wilson instructed by Director of State Proceedings for 1 st Defendant

Heard: July 24 and 25,2006 and January 29, 2007

Beswick, J

1. In this matter, Mr. Hobbins, a businessman, claims damages for malicious

prosecution, false imprisonment, assault and beating which he allekes that he suffered at

the hands of Constable Watson, a police officer.

C 2. Mr. Hobbins7 business involved trading in cars. Ms. Aldeae Ferreira, whom he

described as being his fiancee, wished to purchase a car. Mr. Hobbins accompanied her

to a fellow car trader, Mr. Rohan Ellis, and Ms.Ferreira paid Mr. Ellis to import a car

for her.

3. Time passed. Ms.Ferreira waited for her vehicle. Her wait was a long one. She

grew impatient. Then she became anxious and distrustful about the matter.

4. Mr. Hobbins' evidence is that Ms. Ferreira well knew that the car was awaiting