Bradford player demands answers as he’s handcuffed by police

A Bradford City player demands answers after he’s stopped by police and video recorded getting handcuffed by officers during a search.

His vehicle was flagged up with warning markers for drugs and firearms before things turned drastic quickly.

Ben Richards-Everton, who plays as a central defender for the League Two side, was confronted by officers as he departed a shop in the area of Sutton Coldfield.

In a video filmed by his girlfriend, he can be seen asking why he is being handcuffed and why an officer is holding a Taser.

He can be heard saying: “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?”

“I didn’t point it at you. It was out but it wasn’t pointing at you,” the officer replies.

Richards-Everton 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.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police has responded to what happen during the incident.

“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.

West Midlands Police said they detained the car driver while officers carried out a search as the number plate flagged up warning markers for drugs and firearms.

“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,” they said.

Mr Richards-Everton has spoke with the BBC, stating that he had had the car for three weeks when the incident happened back in June.

He says it was bought from a reputable firm, but now he’s left considering making a formal complaint against the police.

The previous owner was a championship football player I’m the second owner. It’s impossible for this vehicle to be involved in such things.the cloned plates seems like a cop out so they could check me out, if I were to be in possession of firearms where were armed response…

— Ben Richards-Everton (@RicoEverton) July 14, 2020

RICHARDS-EVERTON’S CAREER:

2009–2010 – Romulus
2010–2011 – Cradley Town
2011–2013 – Hinckley United
2011 → Sutton Coldfield Town (loan)
2011 → Rushall Olympic (loan)
2011 → Romulus (loan)
2013–2014 – Tamworth
2014–2015 – Partick Thistle
2014–2015 → Airdrieonians (loan)
2015–2017 – Dunfermline Athletic
2017–2019 – Accrington Stanley
2019– Bradford City

Richards-Everton was a consistent starter for Dunfermline, who at the time, was managed by Allan Johnston, making appearances in all but two of the Pars League One 2015-16 winning campaign.

In November 2013, Richards-Everton was called up to the England C squad, to face a Latvia under-23 side. His international career unfortunately didn’t go any further.

Social media users have given their reaction after the Bradford player demands answers as he’s handcuffed by police…

I don’t understand why both @RicoEverton and his partner weren’t cuffed and “covered” by a taser if this car was suspected of gun and drug involvement. Surely that would mean any occupant of the car would be a suspect. Also allowed to pass the phone.

— Ron Gun (@Richard79692572) July 15, 2020

YOU now own the car and plates Ben, so can you put in a FOI or Subject Information Request in to that force to see proof of information they hold on those plates? In the same way you can put in requests to other businesses and public bodies to find out what info they hold on you.

— Kristian (@k_cleworth) July 15, 2020

The Police have access to the DVLA database so will have been able to see when you became the registered keeper. If there is any ‘intelligence’ that relates to the vehicle, that will surely be from before you were the owner. This means the search and use of force used is illegal.

— Jonathan ? (@888Jonathan888) July 15, 2020

Embarrissing big guy , the way people are getting treated all over Britain from the police for no reason what so ever is shambolic . Hope your good mate .

— jamie (@Jamie11Bain) July 14, 2020

I have no answers. I know 2 things. I lived as a white child in apartheid South Africa and racism direct or indirect is indefensible. The second thing is I love Bradford, it’s my home town, a melting pot of creed colour and kindness and BRE is a credit to my beloved Bantams

— Mark Coup (@mark_coup) July 14, 2020

If you was a premier league player the main press would be all over it, the police should be ashamed

— Mark boocock (@markbooie) July 14, 2020

Disgusted, but sadly not surprised that this happened

— Tom Hogg (@EdinJag) July 15, 2020

Absolutely scandalous Ben. Hope you and your partner are ok.

— iain clarkson (@iainclarkson69) July 15, 2020

That’s absolutely shocking Ben.

— Lorna Morton (@buffypinkpars) July 14, 2020

I don’t think he was suggesting he was being cuffed for driving a nice car. Given what he’s wearing it seems fairly obvious he doesn’t have a concealed weapon so IMO the handcuffing isn’t necessary and inflamed the situation

— Eli (@eli_tweets25) July 15, 2020

If you thought someone had firearms on them, you wd think that police might send a bit of a bigger response – for their safety as much as anything else.

— Michele Paduano (@MichelePaduano) July 15, 2020

History was that he bought it off of another football player.

— Michele Paduano (@MichelePaduano) July 14, 2020

Disgraceful – Ben isn’t known by the police and isn’t a criminal routine stop & search ??‍♂️

— Dunks (@Chey_Dks) July 14, 2020

Absolute disgrace!

— Mikey Mlotkiewicz (@mikeymlot) July 14, 2020