A POLICEMAN is being sued for $630,000 by three Aborigines who claim he racially taunted and arrested them while drunk almost six years ago.
The policeman is accused of the false imprisonment and assault and battery of the trio after he had allegedly consumed rum and more than 15 beers.
Former Cunnamulla constable Adam Millan Martin Reedy and the Queensland Government are being sued by Geraldine Lyn Robinson, Corinne Anne Mitchell and Malcolm John Mitchell over the incident, which started at the Club Hotel on May 15, 2005.
The trio, in documents lodged in the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday, claim Mr Reedy had been drinking beer and rum for up to 12 hours from 10am before becoming verbally aggressive and offensive to a group of pub patrons.
Documents sighted by The Courier-Mail yesterday allege Mr Reedy became aggressive towards Corinne Mitchell after he was earlier warned to "settle down" and then asked by hotel staff to leave the premises.
The trio, in an affidavit lodged by their lawyers, claim Mr Reedy arrested Ms Mitchell after falsely accusing her of spitting on him and dragged her from the pub with his arm around her neck.
It is claimed Ms Robinson rushed to Ms Mitchell's aid in fear for her safety, but that Mr Reedy then pulled Ms Robinson's hair and then pulled her blouse off, partially exposing her breasts to hotel patrons.
Malcolm Mitchell was also detained and charged when he tried to help Ms Robinson.
The trio were all charged the following day, based on a complaint by Mr Reedy, and remanded in custody on charges of grievous bodily harm and assault causing bodily harm while in company.
Documents reveal Ms Mitchell was held in custody for 10 months and Ms Robinson for six weeks until they were released on bail.
All three were committed to stand trial until the Crown withdrew all charges three years ago.
The three are collectively suing Mr Reedy and the Queensland Government for $300,000 in general damages and $180,000 for aggravated damages.
Mr Mitchell is suing both for $30,000 in exemplary damages.
However, Mr Robinson and Ms Mitchell are suing only Mr Reedy for $150,000 in exemplary damages.
The three claim Mr Reedy's actions resulted in them being publicly "ridiculed and humiliated".
"(They all) suffered deprivation of liberty, outrage, humiliation, indignity, anxiety and distress," the court documents say.
A date has yet to be listed to hear the matter.
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