Motorist’s rights battle ends in reverse

A motorist who sued the Government and the police, alleging breaches of his constitutional rights, false imprisonment, and seizure and detention of his motor vehicle following two run-ins with cops in 2024, has walked away empty-handed after a Supreme Court judge ruled that he had not proved a “civil wrong or breach of the Charter” of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

The man, Nigel Wilmot, who filed a constitutional claim, alleged that members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force breached his rights to liberty, freedom of movement, privacy, protection from search and protection of property.

He also sought declarations that the police breached his rights under the charter, and asked for constitutional damages for those alleged breaches.