A Dark Chapter in Policing: $450,000 Awarded for Wrongful Imprisonment After Police Fabricated Evidence

In a case that underscores the devastating consequences of misconduct within law enforcement, the New South Wales Supreme Court has awarded Nowra man Luke Moore $456,160 in damages after he was wrongfully imprisoned on the back of fabricated evidence by a police officer. What makes the case even more shocking is that the officer was Daniel Keneally, son of former NSW premier and senator Kristina Keneally.

A Dark Chapter in Policing: $450,000 Awarded for Wrongful Imprisonment After Police Fabricated Evidence

The events trace back to February 2021, when Mr Moore phoned Newtown Police Station to complain about police strip-search practices. During that call, Keneally falsely reported that Mr Moore had threatened to kill a police officer. The falsehood was enough to see Moore arrested and jailed for 22 days. Only later did the courts establish there had been no such threat at all.

The repercussions for Mr Moore were severe. Wrongful imprisonment left him with lasting trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He told the court that his life had been derailed, and while he sought $3 million in damages, the court awarded a significant sum recognising both the injustice and the harm done. The State of NSW must also cover his legal costs.

For Keneally, the disgrace was total. In 2023 he was convicted of fabricating evidence, handed a 15-month intensive correction order, fined, and sentenced to 200 hours of community service. He is no longer a police officer, a stark reminder that no badge can shield wrongdoing from accountability.

Why This Case Matters

This judgment is not just about one man’s ordeal—it exposes systemic vulnerabilities. Mr Moore’s wrongful arrest highlights how easily the misuse of authority can strip away liberty, dignity, and public trust. The fact that the misconduct was carried out by a police officer, whose sworn duty is to protect the community, compounds the damage.

The court was unflinching in its language. Justice Richard Cavanagh found that nothing Mr Moore said during the call could reasonably be construed as a threat. The evidence fabricated by Keneally was not a mistake; it was a deliberate act. In awarding damages, the court also sent a strong message that malicious prosecution cannot be tolerated in a society governed by the rule of law.

The Broader Implications

The case raises urgent questions about oversight and accountability within policing. When misconduct of this magnitude can occur, it undermines the community’s confidence in the justice system as a whole. It also reinforces the importance of whistleblowers, watchdogs, and independent judicial scrutiny in checking abuses of power.

Moreover, this case should embolden broader reforms. Strip-searching practices, already a contentious issue in NSW, came under scrutiny because of Mr Moore’s activism. His creation of the website isuepolice.com and his willingness to confront misconduct were catalysts for the chain of events that followed. His courage—despite the ordeal he suffered—highlights how individuals standing up to systemic failings can provoke meaningful legal and social reckoning.

Conclusion

Luke Moore’s victory is bittersweet. While compensation cannot erase the trauma of wrongful imprisonment, it represents justice served and accountability demanded. The judgment is also a stark warning to those in positions of power: fabricating evidence and abusing authority will not only destroy lives but also erode the very institutions meant to uphold justice.

For the public, the case serves as both a sobering reminder and a call to vigilance. In a democracy, trust in the police is hard-won and easily lost. Safeguarding that trust requires transparency, accountability, and the courage to confront misconduct—no matter whose son is behind the badge.