A RIO CLARO businessman who was wrongfully arrested and later sexually assaulted while on remand has been awarded just over $500,000 in damages by the High Court.

In a ruling delivered last month, Justice Margaret Mohammed found in favour of the man on claims of malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, and assault and battery. His identity has been withheld due to the nature of the allegations upheld in the case.

The claim arose out of his arrest on June 14, 2017, shortly after he had been conducting business at his roadside agricultural stall. According to his evidence, two police officers approached him in a marked vehicle, questioned his presence in the area, and took him into custody.