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Michael Barrymore awarded damages over wrongful arrest

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Michael Barrymore will be awarded damages over wrongful arrest for the death of Stuart Lubbock.

Sky News reports that he is set to get "more than nominal damages" from Essex Police after arguing that the wrongful arrest destroyed his career, with Essex Police admitting that Barrymore's arrest was unlawful.

He was detained 10 years ago on suspicion of the rape and murder of Lubbock whose body was found in the swimming pool of Barrymore's home in Roydon, Essex in 2001, with alcohol and drugs discovered in his body.

Photo credit: Rex Shutterstock
Photo credit: Rex Shutterstock

A figure for the damages will be set in another hearing, with it reported that Barrymore could receive £2.5 million.

The High Court hearing was to determine whether Barrymore would be paid nominal damages or substantial damages, with Essex Police attempting to show they had a strong case for arrest at the time.

Barrymore's legal team say the arrest caused "devastating damage to his career" when he was attempting a comeback, following appearing on Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 4 a year before his arrest.

Photo credit: Rex Shutterstock
Photo credit: Rex Shutterstock

"The defendant [Essex Police] has failed to prove that, if not arrested unlawfully as he was, Mr Parker [Barrymore] could and would have been arrested lawfully," High Court Judge Mr Justice Stuart-Smith concluded.

"Mr Parker is entitled to recover more than nominal damages."

Barrymore was not present for the decision.


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