Excerpt from the Guardian published on 16th April 2012
An Asian former police officer who was racially abused by colleagues at Cleveland police then set up and jailed for a crime he did not commit has accepted compensation from the force of more than £800,000.
It is believed to be one of the largest claims against a police force in England and Wales.
Sultan Alam, 49, lost his marriage, health, reputation and career as a result of the actions of several officers from the force. He was wrongfully imprisoned for 18 months in 1996 for conspiracy to steal motor parts. Alam, from Middlesbrough, served nine months in jail and the conviction was overturned by the court of appeal in 2007.
On Monday, Alam was awarded damages of £838,363 in a judgment at the court with a further £3,065, plus costs.
Earlier this year, Cleveland police admitted malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office during a hearing at Leeds crown court. The trial heard Alam was “stitched up” by several of his colleagues, who were never tried before a crown court. Three have since left the force, but one remains as a serving constable.
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