Man sues over arrest

Ricardo Sookoo, who was 17 years old at the time he was charged, said he was forced to miss school to attend court on the charge which he said was “concocted and fabricated” against him by the police, who he also accused of physically abusing him when they arrested him on October 25, 2008.

He is seeking damages and aggravated damages for malicious prosecution as well as being kept in a filthy prison cell at the Princes Town Police Station, being slapped and threatened by police at the station as well as being deprived of his liberty for 42 hours before he was granted bail and released.

Sookoo was charged with robbing a man of his gold chain and using personal violence against the man.

He repeatedly maintained his innocence and after 18 court appearances the charges against him were dismissed for non-appearance by the police officer who charged him.

He claims he suffered humiliation, distress, embarrassment and has been left emotionally and mentally traumatised as a result of the incident which took place in 2008.

Sookoo is being represented by attorney Kavita Sarran.