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Thomas Orchard custody death: Three police charged | Thomas Orchard custody death: Three police charged |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three police staff have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man days after he collapsed in custody. | Three police staff have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man days after he collapsed in custody. |
Thomas Orchard, 32, collapsed in a cell at Heavitree Road Police Station, Exeter, after his arrest in 2012 and died in hospital. | Thomas Orchard, 32, collapsed in a cell at Heavitree Road Police Station, Exeter, after his arrest in 2012 and died in hospital. |
Sgt Jan Kingshott and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley and Michael Marsden are also charged with misconduct in public office. | Sgt Jan Kingshott and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley and Michael Marsden are also charged with misconduct in public office. |
All three serve with Devon and Cornwall Police. | All three serve with Devon and Cornwall Police. |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is still investigating whether the force will face a corporate manslaughter charge. | |
Mr Orchard, a caretaker at St Thomas Church in Exeter, was arrested on 3 October 2012 on suspicion of a public order offence and taken to the police station. | Mr Orchard, a caretaker at St Thomas Church in Exeter, was arrested on 3 October 2012 on suspicion of a public order offence and taken to the police station. |
About an hour after he arrived he was taken by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he died seven days later. | About an hour after he arrived he was taken by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he died seven days later. |
The three officers face two different manslaughter charges: | |
'Much-loved son' | |
Prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against three constables and a custody nurse employed by a private contractor. | |
In a statement released by campaign group Inquest, Mr Orchard's family said: "We welcome today's decision and it makes us cautiously optimistic that justice will be done for our much-loved son and brother." | |
Mr Orchard's mother Alison told BBC News: "This is an important development, which has been a long time coming, but it's by no means the end of the case. | |
"I see it as a long climb up a big hill to get to the top, only to find there's a mountain range still ahead." | |
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Thomas Orchard at this difficult time. | |
"The two-year long investigation that has followed has been difficult for all of those involved. | |
"As a result of being charged a decision has been made that the officer and two members of staff have been suspended and this will be continually reviewed. | |
"We will continue to give appropriate welfare support to those officers and staff concerned." | |
The three charged staff are expected to appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on 29 January. |