KB-2024-001402 - [2025] EWHC 2492 (KB)

The police suspected Mr Bair was involved in the arson and collision. He was arrested at his flat in the early hours of 19 August 2021. The police body worn footage was shown at trial. The Claimants’ case is that when Mr Bair is initially asked his name, he replied “Romaine”. Mr Bair vehemently denies that.

I heard evidence from PC Morris who was the arresting officer. His body worn footage was admitted as evidence. The police entered the flat where Mr Bair was living shortly before 0600 on 19 August 2021. Mr Bair was asleep in bed when the police entered and appeared to be woken by PC Morris. In his statement PC Morris states that he said “what is your name” and Mr Bair said “Romaine”. PC Morris repeated “Romaine” and Mr Bair said “Conrad”. When he asked Mr Bair to confirm his details again he said Conrad Bair. PC Morris said that wasn’t what Mr Bair had said the first time, Mr Bair denied it by shaking his head. PC Morris was asked questions by both Mr Vincent KC and Mr Bair. PC Morris confirmed he was told in the briefing before the arrest that someone called Roman Bair reported a missing vehicle and that Conrad Bair was linked to the vehicle and the address they were going to. He had no independent knowledge of Mr Bair outside of the briefing. He accepted it was not clear that Mr Bair said Roman or Romain in the video. He confirmed he heard him say Romiane and that he recorded what he heard and believed that is what he heard. He stated that it was not possible that he was mistaken.

Mr Vincent questioned him about the information given in the police briefing, putting that certain of the information about Mr Bair’s antecedents is incorrect. PC Morris was unable to give any further details as all he knew of Mr Bair was what he was told in the briefing. He knew that Roman Bair was linked to the address they were going to.