BRADFORD City says it has instructed its legal partners to 'take the matter further' after one of its players was handcuffed in the street while his car was searched.
Opus Law, which has an office in Piccadilly, Bradford, is looking into “all avenues of legal remedy open” to Bantams defender Ben Richards-Everton following the incident.
Mr Richards-Everton says he was held in handcuffs by police outside a parade of shops he had just visited near his mother’s home for almost 30 minutes.
Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, he revealed the officers approached him saying they had intelligence that there were drugs and firearms inside his car.
We have today been instructed to represent #bcafc player Ben Richards Everton in relation to a widely publicised police stop and search. https://t.co/dsCdfUMNXL
— Opus Law (@OpusLaw) July 16, 2020
The message on the Opus Law website said: “Ben Jones, Director, has been instructed by a professional footballer in relation to a well-documented stop and search procedure which was recorded on camera and has been distributed via various news outlets.
“The Bradford City player has instructed Opus Law to explore all avenues of legal remedy open to him following the incident.”
The matter has attracted both local and media attention. https://t.co/R8pR4tCKFGhttps://t.co/8StinNCDkU
— Opus Law (@OpusLaw) July 16, 2020
A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed the incident, which took place last month, adding Mr Richards-Everton was released with no further action taken.
It added the driver was detained while officers carried out a search of the car and nothing was found in the vehicle.
The statement said: “Given the intelligence around potential firearms one of the officers drew a Taser. It was put away shortly after without being used.”
Meanwhile, the club itself has made a statement on the incident.
📜 CLUB STATEMENT | We are aware of an incident involving defender @RicoEverton, which recently occurred in the West Midlands.
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) July 16, 2020
➡️ | Read in full here: https://t.co/u2rdrlTIzd#BCAFC | #CityForAll pic.twitter.com/3rNhHGA6l3
It read: “Bradford City is aware of an incident involving defender Ben Richards-Everton, which recently occurred in the West Midlands.
“The incident caused our player serious alarm and distress, and, having reviewed all of the evidence made available to us, we have instructed our specialist legal partners to take the matter further - on his behalf.
“We support our player’s judgement in making the matter public, as he saw fit, and would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners, Opus Law, for handling the matter.
“As the situation is now being dealt with legally, the club will be making no further comment at this time.”
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