This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/31/sean-rigg-death-custody-sergeant-lied-at-inquest-court-hears

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sean Rigg death: custody sergeant lied at inquest, court hears Sean Rigg death: custody sergeant lied at inquest, court hears
(35 minutes later)
A Metropolitan police custody sergeant lied at the inquest into Sean Rigg’s death, falsely giving evidence that he had checked on the 40-year-old, a court has heard.A Metropolitan police custody sergeant lied at the inquest into Sean Rigg’s death, falsely giving evidence that he had checked on the 40-year-old, a court has heard.
Rigg died after collapsing in police custody on 21 August 2008. After being arrested, he was kept in the back of a police van for some time before being taken into Brixton police station, where he fell ill minutes later.Rigg died after collapsing in police custody on 21 August 2008. After being arrested, he was kept in the back of a police van for some time before being taken into Brixton police station, where he fell ill minutes later.
Paul White, 53, is accused of lying while giving evidence at the inquest into Rigg’s death.Paul White, 53, is accused of lying while giving evidence at the inquest into Rigg’s death.
Jurors heard that in March 2009 White told the Independent Police Complaints Commission that he left the south London custody suite to check on Rigg in the van.Jurors heard that in March 2009 White told the Independent Police Complaints Commission that he left the south London custody suite to check on Rigg in the van.
On 10 July 2012 he told the inquest at Southwark coroner’s court the same thing, stating that he had assessed Rigg’s health between 7.53pm and 8.03pm. On 10 July 2012, he told the inquest at Southwark coroner’s court the same thing, stating that he had assessed Rigg’s health between 7.53pm and 8.03pm.
But Max Hill QC, prosecuting, told Southwark crown court that White was “clearly lying”. He added: “Analysis of CCTV footage from the custody suite at Brixton police station proves that at no time did Sgt White visit Sean Rigg in the back of the police van.But Max Hill QC, prosecuting, told Southwark crown court that White was “clearly lying”. He added: “Analysis of CCTV footage from the custody suite at Brixton police station proves that at no time did Sgt White visit Sean Rigg in the back of the police van.
“As you might expect, Sgt White was confronted with this evidence in the witness box at the inquest hearing, and he conceded that he could not have been to see Mr Rigg as he had described.“As you might expect, Sgt White was confronted with this evidence in the witness box at the inquest hearing, and he conceded that he could not have been to see Mr Rigg as he had described.
“We suggest that Sgt White deliberately lied in his evidence, in order to conceal the fact that he did not undertake any assessment of Sean Rigg’s condition and welfare during the period in which he was kept in the van. “We suggest that Sgt White deliberately lied in his evidence in order to conceal the fact that he did not undertake any assessment of Sean Rigg’s condition and welfare during the period in which he was kept in the van.
“This is important because, as the on-duty custody sergeant that day, Rigg and any other persons detained at Brixton police station were in Sgt White’s care.”“This is important because, as the on-duty custody sergeant that day, Rigg and any other persons detained at Brixton police station were in Sgt White’s care.”
Jurors heard that Rigg had paranoid schizophrenia for many years, and in the weeks leading up to his death had not been taking his prescribed medication.Jurors heard that Rigg had paranoid schizophrenia for many years, and in the weeks leading up to his death had not been taking his prescribed medication.
Police were called after staff in his supported accommodation became concerned by his behaviour. He was seen on 21 August bare-chested, wearing only white trousers and trainers, and doing karate kicks on the pavement.Police were called after staff in his supported accommodation became concerned by his behaviour. He was seen on 21 August bare-chested, wearing only white trousers and trainers, and doing karate kicks on the pavement.
Rigg was arrested and arrived at the police station in the back of the van at 7.53pm.Rigg was arrested and arrived at the police station in the back of the van at 7.53pm.
White, who is on crutches after a knee operation, denies one count of perjury.White, who is on crutches after a knee operation, denies one count of perjury.
The trial continues.The trial continues.