McGowan v Chief Constable of Kingston Upon Hull; 21 Oct 1967

References: Times 21-Oct-1967
Coram: Parker LCJ, Widgery, O’Connor JJ
The defendant police officers had gone into a house where a child was being held in a man’s arms. The police officers said that they had reason to think that a breach of the peace might occur between the man and his mistress. The question arose as to whether the mistress had authority to give an invitation to the police officers to come in.
Held: Parker LCJ said: ‘Regardless of the invitation, there was sufficient to justify the police entering the house on the basis that they genuinely suspected a danger of breach of the peace occurring.’
This case is cited by:

  • Cited – McLeod, Mealing (deceased) -v- Metropolitan Police Commissioner CA (Ind Summary 21-Feb-94, Bailii, [1994] EWCA Civ 2, [1994] 4 All ER 553)
    The plaintiff appealed against the dismissal of her claims for trespass and breach of duty by the defendant’s officers. In divorce proceedings, she had been ordered to return certain household goods to her husband, but had failed yet to do so. The . .

(This list may be incomplete)
Last Update: 27-Feb-16 Ref: 543044