Alexander Loxton, a former ballet dancer who played the older Billy in the West End musical 'Billy Elliot', is suing the Metropolitan Police for almost £600,000 in compensation. He claims an unjustified stop-and-search in September 2016 left him with a career-ending ankle injury.
Loxton, 36, says a police officer stamped on his foot during the incident at Kennington Police Station, causing ligament damage that ended his dreams of reaching the top of the ballet world. He now works in security and plans to become a police community support officer.
His barrister, Fiona Murphy KC, told Central London County Court that Loxton had a promising career, having performed with the Royal Ballet, at Buckingham Palace for the Queen's 80th birthday, and in film roles alongside Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren. She argued the police had no basis to stop him and used unreasonable force.
But the Met Police deny liability, claiming Loxton's career was already in decline due to injuries, low pay, and limited opportunities. Police barrister Robert Talalay said any injuries resulted from Loxton struggling with officers.
The court heard Loxton suffered a permanent injury that prevents him from executing high-impact dance moves. He is suing Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley for assault and battery.
