IPCC investigates death of man restrained by police outside Devon pub
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Version 0 of 1. Detectives and the police watchdog are investigating the death of a man who fell unconscious while he was being restrained by police after a disturbance outside a seafront bar and who later died in hospital. Devon and Cornwall police and the Independent Police Complaints Commission are examining the incident, which took place outside Murphy’s Roadhouse in Paignton, Devon. Officers gave the 38-year-old man emergency resuscitation at the scene and he was taken to Torbay district hospital but he died on Saturday night. Devon and Cornwall police said the man, who has not yet been named, was restrained after police were called to an incident at 9pm on Wednesday 29 April. The force said: “Police were called to a disturbance outside of the bar on the Esplanade in Paignton involving an altercation between two men and door staff. During the incident the 38-year-old man, while being restrained, became unconscious and following CPR by officers at the scene, was conveyed by ambulance to Torbay district hospital. “He sadly died in hospital during the evening of Saturday 2 May. Four men were arrested in connection with the incident, aged 43, 54 and two aged 35. One of the 35-year-old men has been released with no further action, while the three other men – all arrested on suspicion of affray – have been given police bail pending further enquiries. “The matter was given a mandatory referral to the IPCC and will now be subject to an independent investigation by them. This will run alongside the criminal inquiry into the incident.” It is understood that the man who died had been drinking with his brother at the pub. Both are said to be bus drivers working in Devon. Stephen Butchers, 51, the owner of Murphy’s Roadhouse, said: “The police turned up following an altercation outside the pub. I cannot comment any more as there is an ongoing investigation involving the IPCC. But I just want to make it clear that we were nothing to do with it. My staff reacted brilliantly and went above and beyond in what was a difficult situation.” Butchers said the brothers had been drinking in the pub since 5.30pm. He said: “There was no altercation inside. It happened outside on the road. They were not known to us and it was the first time they had ever been in the pub.” Asst Ch Con Russ Middleton of Devon and Cornwall police said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family, and we are providing support at this difficult time. The force’s major crime investigation team has commenced an investigation into this incident and that will continue. We will also cooperate fully with the IPCC separate independent investigation into police involvement in the incident.” The IPCC began to investigate the Paignton incident before the man died. It said one police officer had initially attended and confirmed Devon and Cornwall police had referred the matter to it and IPCC investigators had immediately been deployed. Related: Police sergeant and custody officers charged over death of Thomas Orchard One witness, a painter and decorator who declined to be named, said he saw the man being treated at the scene. “The man looked dead to me. Ambulance crews were working on him for 20 minutes to resuscitate him. He was just lying there on the floor,” he said. “It was very upsetting for my children.” The issue of restraint is sensitive to Devon and Cornwall police after the death of a mentally ill man, Thomas Orchard, who died after being arrested in Exeter city centre. A police sergeant and two custody officers have been charged with manslaughter over the case of Orchard, a 32-year-old church caretaker who died a week after collapsing in a police cell in October 2012. They are due to face trial early next year. |