Aussie Police Sued: School WhatsApp Arrest, IT Boss Jailed for Blog

IT Director Sues Police for £70,000 After Cell Stay Over Blog Post

A company director is taking Hertfordshire Constabulary to court for £70,000, claiming damages and personal injury after he was arrested and spent a night in a cell over a blog post. The IT boss, Sam Smith, alleges the stress of the arrest aggravated a pre-existing eye condition. This legal action follows a separate incident where the same police force paid £20,000 in compensation to a couple who were unlawfully arrested following a dispute on a school WhatsApp group.

The Arrest and Its Aftermath

The events leading to Mr. Smith’s arrest unfolded on March 8th last year. Hertfordshire police, responding to complaints from two members of a Facebook group, dispatched a dozen officers to Mr. Smith’s home. His property was searched, his electronic devices were seized, and he was detained overnight at Hatfield police station.

Despite the significant police presence and the initial arrest, the case was dropped by detectives just six days later. A note in the police log indicated that the search conducted was neither “suitable nor lawful.”

Mr. Smith’s Blog and the Alleged Offence

Mr. Smith, 47, operates a blog under the pseudonym Matthew Hopkins, a name borrowed from a 17th-century historical figure known for prosecuting women accused of witchcraft. His blog typically addresses matters of public interest.

In this instance, Mr. Smith penned articles addressing what he perceived as misinformation concerning a woman in a local park. This woman had been falsely accused of being a paedophile, photographed, and confronted due to circulating online posts. Mr. Smith’s blog posts aimed to correct these false narratives.

Within his blog, he identified two individuals he claimed had disseminated the false information about the woman. He labelled them as an “extremist” and a “drug user.”

Escalation and Allegations of Police Failure

Mr. Smith contends that the police only targeted him after he publicly criticised their inaction regarding the escalating situation involving the woman in the park. He stated, “What happened to this lady in the park had the potential to be a very serious incident as the online posts escalated. I wrote two articles about this situation, but it was only after I called out the police and specifically the local inspector for failing to act that they decided to come for me.”

He further described the arrival of 12 officers at his residence, informing him he was under arrest for sending false communications. Bodycam footage from the arrest captured Mr. Smith, who answered the door in his dressing gown, appearing visibly shaken.

Curiously, while Mr. Smith was informed he was arrested for sending false communications – a minor summary offence – the search of his home was purportedly conducted for more serious malicious communications offences. During the search, officers also seized a pile of undelivered Conservative Party leaflets, mistakenly accusing Mr. Smith of stealing post.

Legal Challenges and Independent Scrutiny

Mr. Smith’s lawsuit centres on allegations that Hertfordshire Constabulary failed to adequately investigate his complaint regarding his wrongful arrest. These claims are reportedly supported by findings from Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Jonathan Ash-Edwards.

Carolyn Kitchen, the PCC’s complaints team leader, has reportedly urged the force to re-evaluate whether there were “good objective grounds” for Mr. Smith’s arrest. In correspondence with Mr. Smith, Ms. Kitchen suggested that officers should have considered alternatives to arrest, such as a voluntary interview.

Mr. Smith is seeking a summary judgment, with a hearing scheduled for next month before Master Irena Sabic at the Royal Courts of Justice. He expressed frustration with the police force’s response, stating, “So far Herts Police have failed to settle the case and ignored the recommendations of their own PCC in defiance of best practice and reason. It is a waste of public money and damages public confidence.”

Wider Concerns Regarding Hertfordshire Constabulary

This case emerges against a backdrop of broader concerns about Hertfordshire Constabulary’s performance. A 2024 report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary highlighted areas requiring improvement, including crime investigation, leadership, and management. The force was also found to be “inadequate” in its recording of offences.

Official Statements and Ongoing Process

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed the civil proceedings, stating, “We can confirm Mr Smith has issued civil proceedings for a civil claim against Hertfordshire Constabulary. At this time, we do not feel it is appropriate to provide commentary on this case.”

The PCC’s office provided further insight: “Following the outcome of the Professional Standards Department investigation, Mr Smith exercised his statutory right to have his complaint outcome reviewed by the PCC. This review identified six recommendations. The Professional Standards Department has accepted the majority of these recommendations and are currently acting on them. Mr Smith was updated in February 2026 and the matter remains live while the Professional Standards Department act on the recommendations from the PCC’s Office.”

In a recent development, Mr. Smith received an interim damages payment of £2,000 from the force.