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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Call for inquiry into cell coma | Call for inquiry into cell coma |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A call has been made for a public inquiry to examine the case of a man left with a brain injury after being found in a coma in police custody. | |
| Garry Reynolds' lawyers made the demand after a report found systemic failings at Brighton police custody centre. | Garry Reynolds' lawyers made the demand after a report found systemic failings at Brighton police custody centre. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said officers and Reliance private contractor staff had failed to provide adequate care. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said officers and Reliance private contractor staff had failed to provide adequate care. |
| Sussex Police said it had since acted to rectify its working practices. | Sussex Police said it had since acted to rectify its working practices. |
| The IPCC could not conclusively say how Mr Reynolds, who is now 41, received the serious head injury in 2008. | The IPCC could not conclusively say how Mr Reynolds, who is now 41, received the serious head injury in 2008. |
| But it said there had been a "collective failure" to realise something was wrong by police and Reliance employees. | But it said there had been a "collective failure" to realise something was wrong by police and Reliance employees. |
| Reliance is a firm of private contractors, working as custody assistants, over whom the IPCC has no jurisdiction. | Reliance is a firm of private contractors, working as custody assistants, over whom the IPCC has no jurisdiction. |
| The "collective failure" contributed to him "remaining in a coma longer than he should", the watchdog found. | The "collective failure" contributed to him "remaining in a coma longer than he should", the watchdog found. |
| I think it's disgusting that no-one is being charged. I think they should all lose their jobs Garry Reynolds | I think it's disgusting that no-one is being charged. I think they should all lose their jobs Garry Reynolds |
| Mr Reynolds has been left paralysed on his left side and suffers from a permanent brain injury. His long-term prognosis is not known. | Mr Reynolds has been left paralysed on his left side and suffers from a permanent brain injury. His long-term prognosis is not known. |
| Solicitors for Mr Reynolds, from Southwick, near Brighton, said the public would be very worried to learn that Reliance staff were "beyond the reach" of a publicly accountable discipline system. | Solicitors for Mr Reynolds, from Southwick, near Brighton, said the public would be very worried to learn that Reliance staff were "beyond the reach" of a publicly accountable discipline system. |
| And they said only a fully independent inquiry would help the public know if "profit - or care for detainees is paramount". | And they said only a fully independent inquiry would help the public know if "profit - or care for detainees is paramount". |
| 'Insufficient evidence' | 'Insufficient evidence' |
| IPCC investigators said that a custody sergeant had assumed Mr Reynolds was drunk and would sleep off the effects rather than thinking he may be ill. | IPCC investigators said that a custody sergeant had assumed Mr Reynolds was drunk and would sleep off the effects rather than thinking he may be ill. |
| A written risk assessment was not completed and there were failures in carrying out accurate cell checks and completing custody records properly, the report said. | A written risk assessment was not completed and there were failures in carrying out accurate cell checks and completing custody records properly, the report said. |
| It added that there was a "collective absence of understanding" of how to spot signs of alcohol intoxication and a lack of team-working among all custody staff. | It added that there was a "collective absence of understanding" of how to spot signs of alcohol intoxication and a lack of team-working among all custody staff. |
| Mr Reynolds was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in West Street, Brighton, shortly after 0230 GMT on 2 March 2008. | Mr Reynolds was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in West Street, Brighton, shortly after 0230 GMT on 2 March 2008. |
| He was restrained with handcuffs and taken to a cell at the custody centre where he was sprayed with incapacitant spray and had his restraints removed. | He was restrained with handcuffs and taken to a cell at the custody centre where he was sprayed with incapacitant spray and had his restraints removed. |
| Shortly after 1100 GMT that morning, Mr Reynolds failed to respond to custody staff and was unconscious. | Shortly after 1100 GMT that morning, Mr Reynolds failed to respond to custody staff and was unconscious. |
| He was transferred to hospital where he was found to have a serious head injury. | He was transferred to hospital where he was found to have a serious head injury. |
| The actions of 14 officers were investigated, the IPCC said, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to bring a case to court. | The actions of 14 officers were investigated, the IPCC said, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to bring a case to court. |
| Two custody sergeants and the custody inspector received "formal advice". | Two custody sergeants and the custody inspector received "formal advice". |
| Police regret | Police regret |
| The police watchdog also handed a file to the Health and Safety Executive amid concerns about the actions of the police sergeants and private contractors. | The police watchdog also handed a file to the Health and Safety Executive amid concerns about the actions of the police sergeants and private contractors. |
| Mr Reynolds said: "I think it's disgusting that no-one is being charged. I think they should all lose their jobs. I feel so angry at the IPCC, they've let them get away with it." | Mr Reynolds said: "I think it's disgusting that no-one is being charged. I think they should all lose their jobs. I feel so angry at the IPCC, they've let them get away with it." |
| In a statement, the force said: "Sussex Police regrets that Gary Reynolds was not adequately cared for while he was in our custody on March 2 2008. | In a statement, the force said: "Sussex Police regrets that Gary Reynolds was not adequately cared for while he was in our custody on March 2 2008. |
| "We acknowledge the findings of the IPCC independent investigation which is critical of certain working practices within Brighton custody centre. | "We acknowledge the findings of the IPCC independent investigation which is critical of certain working practices within Brighton custody centre. |
| "As soon as we became aware of these we took action to rectify them. In addition, several staff were given advice in relation to the performance of their duties." | "As soon as we became aware of these we took action to rectify them. In addition, several staff were given advice in relation to the performance of their duties." |