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IPCC further delays report into young athlete whose neck was broken IPCC further delays report into young athlete whose neck was broken
(about 3 hours later)
The police watchdog has delayed again its report into how a young athlete’s neck was broken in the street more than two years ago, the Guardian has learned. The police watchdog has delayed again its report into how a young athlete’s neck was broken in the street more than two years ago, the Guardian has learned. It comes ahead of Theresa May’s speech on Thursday afternoon in which the home secretary announces her intention to stamp out the “evasiveness and obstruction” suffered by families at the hands of the authorities and launches an independent review of deaths in police custody.
It comes ahead of Theresa May’s speech on Thursday afternoon vowing to stamp out the “evasiveness and obstruction” suffered by families at the hands of the authorities and launching an independent review of deaths in police custody. Julian Cole, 21, was left in a vegetative state after going to a nightclub in Bedford in May 2013, and now lives in a care home. His family have accused the Independent Police Complaints Commission of repeated delays. They say the IPCC promised that its report into the case would be finished by May 2015. Now it cannot give a date by which the report will be completed.
Julian Cole, 21, was left in a vegetative state after going to a nightclub in Bedford in May 2013, and now lives in a care home. The IPCC has declined to say whether six officers questioned under criminal caution on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, or two nightclub staff, bear any responsibility for the incident, let alone whether there may be criminal charges. Cole, a student of sports science at Bedfordshire University, suffered a so-called hangman’s fracture, where considerable force had been used on his neck while his head was pulled back.
His family have accused the Independent Police Complaints Commission of repeated delays. They say the IPCC promised that its report into the case would be finished by May 2015. Now it cannot give a date when the report will be completed. The review to be announced by the home secretary will look at several issues, including the restraint methods used by officers and how incidents are investigated, following sustained criticism of the IPCC from families. May aims to transform public confidence in the police and will declare that she has been “been struck by the pain and suffering of families still looking for answers”.
Cole was arrested by police and the IPCC has declined to say if six officers questioned under criminal caution on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, or two nightclub staff, bear any responsibility for the incident, let alone whether there may be criminal charges. Jules Carey, a solicitor for the Cole family, said: “Julian’s family welcome the home secretary’s acknowledgment of the pain and suffering they have endured in their search for answers, and they hope that this inquiry will rigorously examine obstruction by police forces as well as the ineptitude of the IPCC, which has so far taken more than two years to conclude its report on the incident.”
Cole, a sports science student at Bedfordshire University, suffered a so-called hangman’s fracture, where considerable force had been used on his neck while his head was pulled back. Families and those who have assisted them in their quest for justice said they wanted to learn the full details of the government’s plans before giving their blessing.
The review to be announced by the home secretary will look at several issues, including the restraint methods used by officers and how incidents are investigated, following sustained criticism of the IPCC from families. In extracts released in advance by her officials, May says: “In my time as home secretary, I have been struck by the pain and suffering of families still looking for answers, who have encountered not compassion and redress from the authorities, but what they feel is evasiveness and obstruction. I have also heard first hand the frustration of police officers and staff, whose mission it is to help people but whose training and procedures can end up causing bureaucracy and delay.
May aims to transform public confidence in the police and will declare she has been “been struck by the pain and suffering of families still looking for answers”.
Jules Carey, a solicitor for the Cole family, said: “Julian’s family welcome the home secretary’s acknowledgement of the pain and suffering they have endured in their search for answers, and they hope that this inquiry will rigorously examine obstruction by police forces as well as the ineptitude of the IPCC, that has so far taken more than two years to conclude its report on the incident.”
Families and those who have helped their battles for justice said they wanted to learn the full details of the government’s plans before giving their blessing.
In extracts released in advance by her officials, May says: “In my time as home secretary, I have been struck by the pain and suffering of families still looking for answers, who have encountered not compassion and redress from the authorities, but what they feel is evasiveness and obstruction.
“I have also heard first-hand the frustration of police officers and staff, whose mission it is to help people but whose training and procedures can end up causing bureaucracy and delay.
“No one – least of all police officers – wants such incidents to happen, and I know everyone involved takes steps to avoid them. But when such incidents do occur, every single one represents a failure – and has the potential to undermine dramatically the relationship between the public and the police.”“No one – least of all police officers – wants such incidents to happen, and I know everyone involved takes steps to avoid them. But when such incidents do occur, every single one represents a failure – and has the potential to undermine dramatically the relationship between the public and the police.”
May’s speech will focus on deaths and serious incidents in police custody, including the lead-up to such incidents, what happens afterwards and the conclusion of official investigations. May’s speech will focus on deaths and serious incidents in police custody, including the lead-up to such incidents, what happens afterwards, and the conclusion of official investigations. Ahead of May’s speech, the IPCC released new figures showing that deaths in police custody in 2014-15 increased to 17, from 11 the previous year.
Ahead of May’s speech, the IPCC released new figures showing deaths in police custody in 2014-15 increased to 17, from 11 the previous year.
Cole was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. Police say they have dropped the case because of his condition.Cole was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. Police say they have dropped the case because of his condition.
Speaking in January, Claudius Cole, Julian’s brother, told the Guardian: “When the IPCC took over the investigation we hoped that we would learn the truth. Twenty months on, we feel that the IPCC investigation has ground to a halt, the police officers are not being held to account and we are left without answers while we care for Julian – whose life has been destroyed.” Speaking in January, Claudius Cole, Julian’s brother, told the Guardian: “When the IPCC took over the investigation, we hoped that we would learn the truth. Twenty months on, we feel that the IPCC investigation has ground to a halt, the police officers are not being held to account, and we are left without answers while we care for Julian – whose life has been destroyed.”