Barrymore in line for payout over his pool death arrest
MICHAEL Barrymore is expected to receive damages over his arrest following the death of a man in his swimming pool 15 years ago.
The entertainer is suing Essex Police for the harm caused to his reputation and earnings after he was held in cells for 36 hours in 2007 before being released without charge.
He was arrested over the death of father-of-two Stuart Lubbock, 31, whose body was discovered following a drug-fuelled party at the star’s luxury home six years earlier.
The force now admits Barrymore, 64, was wrongfully detained and questioned on suspicion of murder and sexual assault.
His lawyers have signed an agreement with the force this month, a High Court document reveals.
It states: ‘Judgment be entered for the Claimant on the issue of liability’ – meaning the court found in his favour.
The final figure for any damages has been left for a judge to decide at a later hearing, the Daily Mirror said.
A spokesman for Barrymore refused to comment yesterday. But on Sunday he told a fan: ‘Got news that’s taken 15 years to get.’ Asked if it concerned the ‘boys in blue’, he replied: ‘You are great at guessing. Well done.’
Mr Lubbock’s father, Terry, 71, said yesterday he did not think Barrymore was involved in his son’s death. But he added: ‘He knows what happened.’
Mr Lubbock was found dead in the pool at his £2million home in Roydon, Essex, following a party in March 2001. Barrymore said he drowned, but pathologists found evidence Mr Lubbock had suffered internal injuries consistent with a sexual assault. Ecstasy and cocaine were found in his blood. No one was charged in relation to Mr Lubbock’s death, although Barrymore accepted a police caution for drug offences.
He was then arrested along with two other men in June 2007, after a police review of the original inquiry.
At the time of the tragedy, he was one of TV’s best-paid stars thanks to shows such as Strike It Lucky and Kids Say The Funniest Things.
But following Mr Lubbock’s death, he became a showbiz pariah and was reduced to doing odd jobs.
Essex Police declined to comment.