In a landmark ruling addressing police misconduct, High Court Justice Westmin James has ordered the Trinidad and Tobago government to pay $154,000 in compensation to Darryl Nanton, an emergency medical technician and businessman who suffered unlawful arrest, detention, and prosecution in 2018.
The court found that Nanton, then a 56-year-old Petrotrin employee and owner of Heartfelt Care Services, endured what Justice James described as “oppressive, arbitrary, unreasonable and unconstitutional” treatment during an encounter with Marabella police on April 24, 2018.
The incident began when Nanton visited a KFC establishment on Old Southern Main Road to meet an employee. As he attempted to maneuver his vehicle from a parking space obstructed by two motorcycles, a marked police vehicle intervened. Officers immediately confronted Nanton about his parking position, demanding his driver’s permit and insurance documentation while subjecting him to verbal abuse despite his Petrotrin uniform being visibly displayed.
When Nanton objected to the inappropriate language, a corporal forcibly removed him from his vehicle, shoved him against the car door, and conducted an invasive search. Officers proceeded to search Nanton’s vehicle despite his notification that it contained $8,000 in cash. When Nanton attempted to document the search using his mobile phone, an officer confiscated and deliberately destroyed the device.
Police arranged for vehicle impoundment despite Nanton’s appeals to leave his car at the restaurant premises. He was handcuffed without caution or explanation regarding his arrest and transported to Marabella Police Station. There, he was confined in squalid conditions described as vermin-infested with non-functional toilet facilities, forcing him to sleep on the floor and endure profound humiliation.
Nanton remained detained for approximately 24.5 hours until securing his own bail release. He subsequently faced six court appearances over fabricated charges including disorderly conduct, wilful obstruction, and use of insulting language—all dismissed in July 2019 due to complete lack of prosecution evidence.
Justice James particularly noted the vindictive nature of officers’ conduct, referencing testimony where one officer stated: “I don’t care if I win or I lose. Is how long you suffer in court. The government does pay me to go to court; I hope Petrotrin does pay you to go to court.”
The compensation breakdown includes $50,000 for false imprisonment (incorporating aggravated damages), $50,000 for malicious prosecution (including aggravated damages), $40,000 in exemplary damages for authority abuse, and $14,000 covering legal fees, vehicle recovery costs, and partial phone replacement. The State admitted liability in December 2024, with the assessment ruling delivered on December 4.
Attorney Darryl Heeralal represented Nanton, while State attorneys Evana Welch and Sara Muslim appeared for the defense. The court granted a 28-day stay of execution alongside interest and prescribed costs.