Jane Clift v. Slough Borough Council

On 10 August 2005, Jane Clift, a resident of Slough, intervened when she saw a young child trampling a beautiful flower display in one of Slough’s public gardens, while the adults in charge sat by watching and drinking alcohol. She was met with a volley of abuse and threats and one man jumped into the flowerbed and began vandalising it even more. Jane Clift was advised by the police officers who attended that the scene to report the matter to Slough Borough Council. Almost four months later, having pursued a complaint about how the matter was handled by the Council, Jane Clift found herself placed on Slough Borough Council’s “violent persons register”. Labelled as “medium risk”, her entry on the register was circulated for 18 months to individuals within the Council (departments as diverse as Licensing, Food Safety and Children and Education Services - although she is unmarried and has no children) and outside the Council (to trade union officials, the NHS Primary Care Trust and even local businesses). In fact, the data protection controller of Slough Borough Council admitted during the course of the trial that further circulation of the register was up to the recipients and he had no control over who received it.

Jane Clift lived with the stigma of the violent persons register for three and a half years. Slough Borough Council refused to back down and maintained that she was a violent person.

Today at the High Court, after a trial lasting eight days, a jury returned a verdict vindicating Jane Clift and confirming, finally, that the allegation made against her by Slough Borough Council was defamatory and untrue. They awarded Jane Clift £12,000 libel damages. The Council was also ordered to pay her costs.

For the most of these proceedings, Jane Clift represented herself. Less than three weeks ago she came to Simons Muirhead & Burton for help. We have acted for her on a conditional fee basis, as have Counsel Hugh Tomlinson QC and Christina Michalos.

After the verdict Jane Clift issued the following statement:

"I am delighted and relieved at the verdict of the jury. My character and reputation have finally been vindicated.

Four years ago I stepped in to protect Slough Borough Council property and found myself placed on their violent persons register for my trouble. I am not and never have been violent, as the jury have confirmed today.

It has taken until today to clear my name. I hope others never have to go through the hell that I have suffered and that Slough Borough Council and other Councils never again misuse their violent persons registers.

I am saddened by the time and resources wasted by the Council in defending this case.

I am also very grateful for the lawyers of Simons Muirhead & Burton and Hugh Tomlinson QC and Christina Michalos, who stepped in to help me clear my name."

Lucy Moorman of Simons Muirhead & Burton said:

"I am delighted that the jury have finally given Jane Clift the vindication she so deserves. Being placed on a violent persons register is an extremely serious matter. Jane had no history of violence whatsoever and it is shocking that she has had to fight for more than three and a half years to clear her name. For a long time, Jane Clift conducted this case herself with a great deal of tenacity and skill. I am delighted that we were able to step in at the last minute to help her achieve justice."