A London teenager has won a discrimination claim against the Metropolitan Police after being wrongfully arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder his mother, who had recently tried to take her own life. The civil case, heard at Central London County Court, concerned the arrest of 16-year-old Daryl McLune in July 2021.

McLune was arrested and held for 23 hours after arriving at his family home and finding his mother, Annette, on the ground following her suicide attempt. Despite having no previous criminal record and being described as a diligent student, McLune was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder. He was handcuffed for five hours while police collected forensic samples from his hands—samples that were ultimately not processed or submitted for evidence.

During the seven-day trial, the jury examined 19 factual questions related to the arrest and detention. It concluded that McLune was treated less favorably than a non-black teenager would have been, noting that the Metropolitan Police failed to demonstrate that the arresting officer had a genuine suspicion that McLune committed the alleged offence. The jury also found the extended handcuffing was unjustified, although it did not amount to excessive force. Overall, the police's conduct was deemed a violation of McLune’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically protections against inhuman or degrading treatment.

McLune’s legal representatives sought approximately £130,000 in damages, arguing that the arrest had a lasting impact on his wellbeing. Afterward, McLune reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, including nightmares and flashbacks, and noted that he had dropped out of school following the incident. He expressed relief at the jury’s decision, calling it a long-awaited vindication that might aid his recovery.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that police officers had classified the scene’s blood evidence as suspicious but were initially unaware of the presence of a bloody razor blade and a suicide note later found in the home. The verdict underscores concerns about racial bias in policing and has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in their interactions with law enforcement.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police acknowledged the jury’s findings and expressed regret over the distress caused by the arrest. The force reiterated its commitment to addressing discrimination and unconscious bias, emphasizing that incidents like this harm community trust. The judge, Andrew Holmes, is expected to determine the compensation amount in due course.

Support is available for those affected by similar issues through the Samaritans helpline on freephone 116 123.