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Public villain Richard Pusey has sued Victoria Police for compensation over the Eastern Freeway tragedy, alleging the force exposed him to injury when he was pulled over and witnessed the deaths of four officers.
A writ filed in the Supreme Court – released to The Age late on Thursday – fails to mention Pusey was convicted of outraging public decency for filming Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and constables Josh Prestney and Glen Humphris as they lay dying.
Pusey instead claims the officers breached their duty of care by directing him to an “unsafe location” on the freeway and “failing to take reasonable steps” to ensure his safety.
He complains his $450,000 Porsche sports car was destroyed, and he “was exposed to a traumatic crash”.
Police had pulled Pusey over for speeding and were discussing impounding his vehicle when Mohinder Singh’s truck crashed into the officers, resulting in the worst single loss of police life in Victorian history.
“Victoria Police is aware of this matter being filed with the court, rejects the assertions made, and will be defending the matter,” a police spokesperson said.
Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris.Jason South
Pusey’s civil lawsuit also seeks damages for false imprisonment. He alleges police went to his house and arrested him in April 2020 despite plans being made for him to voluntarily attend a police station.
“The Plaintiff claims this arrest was unnecessary, disproportionate, and unlawful, resulting in false imprisonment,” a writ says.
Pusey also alleges police revealed personal information, including his address, to others.
“As a result of the matters aforesaid, the Plaintiff suffered distress, anxiety and concern for his personal safety and that of his family,” Pusey’s claim states.
He is seeking aggravated damages for his treatment after the Eastern Freeway crash, “including being publicly identified and exposed to media attention”. He also demands compensation for “the distress and humiliation that the police thereby and otherwise caused”.
The writ released on Thursday also says Pusey suffered psychiatric injury and damages, including loss of income and earning capacity.
The Sydney law firm representing Pusey, Hall Partners, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
County Court judge Trevor Wraight described Pusey’s conduct as “heartless, cruel and disgraceful” when he sentenced him to 10 months in jail in April 2021 for filming the police officers in the immediate aftermath of the Eastern Freeway crash.
“Your conduct in recording the police officers in their dying moments, together with the words you used as you recorded, was not only derogatory and horrible … but it was also callous and reprehensible conduct,” he said.
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