Curtis Scott’s legal team wants settlement of $400k from police to keep case out of court

“We will be asking for $400,000,” Macedone told the Herald. “I think the cops will want to sort it out.”

The statement of claim is set to outline the physiological damages suffered by Scott after his arrest.

Curtis Scott’s legal team to offer settlement of $400k to keep case out of court. Credit:NSW Police

His lawyer will also argue the damages caused by police hindered his performance on the field during the entire 2020 season.

“It outlines the trauma, the physiological damages, the economic damages and the sponsorship he lost out of it,” he said.

In September, Scott spoke of the toll the incident had taken.

“I’m just happy I can get a full eight hours of sleep at night and not wake up with an anxiety attack,” Scott said. “I’ve been coming in putting on a brave face. Knowing I’m at such a great club that has supported me through it all, and such a great playing group, made it much easier to come in.

“But always laying down in bed thinking, ‘If one of these charges stick, I could be out of the workforce’ every day is pretty scary.”

Scott signed a four-year contract with the Raiders after the 2019 season.

In September, magistrate Jennifer Giles deemed the entire arrest “unlawful” and ordered NSW Police to pay his legal fees. The bill amounted to more than $100,000, with Scott receiving the cheque this month.

But the NRL still found fault in his actions and handed him a $15,000 suspended fine for his drunken antics.

After considering his options since the Raiders’ season concluded, Scott decided to proceed with legal action. The incident is subject to a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission investigation.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller defended the actions of the officers involved in the incident, and told 2GB after Scott was exonerated that he felt “sympathetic” for them.

The amount of money Scott’s legal team is chasing is not out of the ordinary.

In 2016, a 68-year-old man successfully sued police for unlawful arrest, battery and malicious prosecution and was awarded $582,000. He received severe facial bruising after a taxi driver indicated he was causing trouble and he was knocked to the ground by officers. The incident was captured on CCTV footage.

In 2018, a 21-year-old man was awarded $124,000 after he swore at police and was swung to the ground.