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Jimmy Mubenga security guards had racist jokes on their mobile phones Jimmy Mubenga security guards had racist jokes on their mobile phones
(about 1 hour later)
A G4S security guard who was restraining an Angolan man who died as he was being deported from the UK had 65 racist jokes on his mobile phone when it was seized by police.A G4S security guard who was restraining an Angolan man who died as he was being deported from the UK had 65 racist jokes on his mobile phone when it was seized by police.
Terry Hughes, one of three detention custody officers in charge of Jimmy Mubenga's forced deportation in October 2010, was told at an inquest on Friday to read out a selection of the jokes – which included offensive language directed at black, Asian and Muslim people – during an inquest at Isleworth crown court. Terry Hughes, one of three detention custody officers in charge of Jimmy Mubenga's forced deportation in October 2010, was told at an inquest on Friday to read out a selection of the texts – which included offensive language directed at black, Asian and Muslim people – during an inquest at Isleworth crown court.
Karon Monaghan QC, the assistant deputy coroner for Hammersmith, said the texts contained "very racially offensive material". The court heard that some of the jokes had been sent by other detention custody officers. Karon Monaghan QC, the assistant deputy coroner for Hammersmith, west London, said the texts contained "very racially offensive material". The court heard that some of the texts had been sent by other detention custody officers.
Hughes is the second G4S officer involved in Mubenga's case to be found with racist jokes on his mobile phone. Earlier this week, Stuart Tribelnig was found to have a string of texts deriding black, Pakistani and Muslim men. Hughes is the second G4S officer involved in Mubenga's case to be found with racist jokes on his mobile phone. This week, Stuart Tribelnig was found to have a string of texts deriding black, Pakistani and Muslim men.
When questioned in court, both Hughes and Tribelnig said they had not read all the texts, although both men had forwarded some of the material. They also said that they did not know how to or never bothered to delete texts from their phones. Hughes said that, although the texts suggested "a great deal of racial hostility", he was "not at all" racially hostile. When questioned in court, Hughes and Tribelnig said they had not read all the texts, although both men had forwarded some of the material. They also said they did not know how to or never bothered to delete texts from their phones. Hughes said that, although the texts suggested "a great deal of racial hostility", he was "not at all" racially hostile.
Mubenga, 46, died on a plane at Heathrow airport as it waited on the runway. He had been restrained by three G4S officers – Hughes, Tribelnig and Colin Kaler – for around 35 minutes.Mubenga, 46, died on a plane at Heathrow airport as it waited on the runway. He had been restrained by three G4S officers – Hughes, Tribelnig and Colin Kaler – for around 35 minutes.
Mubenga had been in the UK since 1994 and lived in London with his family. He was convicted of actual bodily harm in 2006 A decision was taken to deport him at the end of his sentence. By September 2010 the appeals process had expired; a couple of weeks later Mubenga boarded the plane at Heathrow at around 7.30pm, accompanied by the three G4S guards. Mubenga had been in the UK since 1994 and lived in London with his family. He was convicted of actual bodily harm in 2006, and a decision was taken to deport him at the end of his sentence. By September 2010 the appeals process had expired. A couple of weeks later Mubenga boarded the plane at Heathrow, at a bout 7.30pm, accompanied by the three G4S guards.
Once on the plane he was allowed to go to the toilet and use a mobile phone. The guards said he had acted as a "gentleman" up to that point. However, the jury was told that shortly afterwards he began a struggle in an attempt to get the deportation cancelled.Once on the plane he was allowed to go to the toilet and use a mobile phone. The guards said he had acted as a "gentleman" up to that point. However, the jury was told that shortly afterwards he began a struggle in an attempt to get the deportation cancelled.
Hughes described how the three guards had tried to restrain him using handcuffs and forcing him to sit in his seat. He said Mubenga at some stages had his head below the level of the television screen on the back of the chair in front, but insisted it was Mubenga himself who had forced his body into that position, one that is known to carry the danger of asphyxiation.Hughes described how the three guards had tried to restrain him using handcuffs and forcing him to sit in his seat. He said Mubenga at some stages had his head below the level of the television screen on the back of the chair in front, but insisted it was Mubenga himself who had forced his body into that position, one that is known to carry the danger of asphyxiation.
Hughes initially told the court that he did not remember Mubenga crying out for help. However, in an earlier police interview read out in court he had said: "All the time Jimmy is shouting and screaming, 'They are killing me – I am going to my death'." After hearing the statement, Hughes accepted that he had heard Mubenga calling out.Hughes initially told the court that he did not remember Mubenga crying out for help. However, in an earlier police interview read out in court he had said: "All the time Jimmy is shouting and screaming, 'They are killing me – I am going to my death'." After hearing the statement, Hughes accepted that he had heard Mubenga calling out.
The struggle between the guards and Mubenga went on for more than half an hour before Mubenga went quiet and Hughes thought he had become "resigned" to returning to Angola. The struggle between the guards and Mubenga continued for more than half an hour before Mubenga went quiet and Hughes thought he had become "resigned" to returning to Angola.
However, he said the guards realised something was wrong before the plane took off and then raised the alarm. The plane taxied back to the terminal stand, where emergency teams were called. Mubenga was pronounced dead some time later.However, he said the guards realised something was wrong before the plane took off and then raised the alarm. The plane taxied back to the terminal stand, where emergency teams were called. Mubenga was pronounced dead some time later.
In court Hughes broke down as he recalled the moment, later that evening, when police told him Mubenga had died. The inquest had to be suspended.In court Hughes broke down as he recalled the moment, later that evening, when police told him Mubenga had died. The inquest had to be suspended.
Later he was asked by counsel for Mubenga's family if he had been crying because he knew he had caused the death. He replied: "Not at all sir, no." He was asked by counsel for Mubenga's family if he had been crying because he knew he had caused the death. He replied: "Not at all, sir, no."
The three guards were subsequently arrested "on suspicious of criminal offences" relating to Mubenga's death. However, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to press charges and no further action was taken. The three guards were subsequently arrested "on suspicion of criminal offences" relating to Mubenga's death. However, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to press charges and no further action was taken.
The inquest, which is due to last eight weeks, continues.The inquest, which is due to last eight weeks, continues.
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