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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Smith

Footballer accuses police of pointing a Taser at him during arrest

Bradford City footballer Ben Richards-Everton is seeking legal advice after he was confronted by police officers and says he had a Taser aimed at him.

Defender Richards-Everton was accosted by officers in Sutton Coldfield in June as he left a shop.

West Midlands Police say they detained Richards-Everton, 28, as the number plate of the car he was driving came up with a warning for drugs and firearms - although nothing was found in the vehicle.

A video of the incident was filmed by Richards-Everton's girlfriend, as reported by ExaminerLive.

It begins with Richards-Everton saying that the situations is "disgraceful".

Ben Richards-Everton was detained by police in June (BBC)

Before he adds: "With what's going on right now, you're doing this to me?

"When I'm fully legal? What cos I got a nice car?

"You pointing a Taser at me?"

The officer replies: "I didn't point it at you. It was out but it wasn't pointing at you."

Richards-Everton then says: "You put me in cuffs for no reason...you hate us cos I'm driving a nice car. Seen yous from a mile off man."

It is unsure what type of car Richards-Everton had been driving, but he later told the BBC that he had bought the car three weeks prior to the incident and from a "reputable firm".

He added to the BBC that he is considering making a formal complaint against the police.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Officers on patrol in Sutton Coldfield spotted a car which flagged up with warning markers for drugs and firearms.

"The car parked up and officers approached the driver in Walmsley Road just after 6pm on 24 June.

"The driver was detained while officers carried out a search of the car.

"Nothing was found in the car and it’s now thought that the number plates, which sparked the suspicion, are cloned.

"The man was advised of the reason for the search and he was released with no further action.

"Given the intelligence around potential firearms one of the officers drew a Taser.

"It was put away shortly after without being used."

Birmingham-born Richards-Everton joined Bradford last summer and has played 37 times for the club - having previously played fot Hinckley United, Tamworth, Partick Thistle, Airdrieonians, Dunfermline and Accrington Stanley.

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