Drugs and police response exacerbated man's death, inquest told
Symptoms 'not recognised'
The jury concluded his ABD "was exacerbated by the use of illicit substances and alcohol and psychological distress he experienced with his interactions with the police".ABD symptoms can include extreme agitation, paranoia, rapid breathing and sweating.The inquest heard how police did not recognise the symptoms in Mr Osei, which could exacerbated by restraint. "Terrified" staff called police after Mr Osei burst into the care home, where 18 elderly residents were sleeping, at about 02:00 BST on 3 July.He was handcuffed to the front of his body for two minutes, during which time he suffered a medical episode, the inquest heard.The handcuffs were removed and police gave Mr Osei CPR and mouth-to-mouth before paramedics arrived and took over, but he did not survive.
Mr Osei's family, who attended the week-long hearing at Cornwall Coroner's Court, claimed he was kicked by one officer, which the officer denied.His family also questioned whether he was the victim of racial profiling as he was black and all the officers were white.Lewison Osei said her brother was a "big friendly giant", but admitted he was "battling his demons", which included illicit drug misuse and mental health issues.
Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Deborah Cook said Mr Osei has taken cocaine, heroin products and cannabis but not to lethal levels.She said he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and possible PTSD, and suffered hallucinations from his heavy daily use of class A drugs."His cause of death was acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) associated with cocaine use," she added.
'Thoroughly investigated'
Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director Derrick Campbell said: "My sympathies go out to Mr Osei's family and everyone affected by his sad death. "We thoroughly investigated police contact with Mr Osei during the dynamic circumstances that unfolded early that morning."Our investigation found that police use of force during the incident was justifiable and that officers largely treated the situation as a medical episode once they could see Mr Osei, who was in a panicked and distressed state. "While we found no indication of any wrongdoing by police, we decided the performance of one police constable was unsatisfactory in that he did not speak to Mr Osei, who was in a mental health crisis, respectfully and could have shown greater sensitivity when moving him. "Having applied our discrimination guidelines, we found insufficient evidence to support a finding that any officer's conduct towards Mr Osei, who was black, was motivated either consciously or unconsciously by racial bias."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
Senior judge says he would apologise to IPP prisoners he jailed
Senior judges who imposed indefinite jail terms, known as IPP sentences, have expressed regret over their role in the 'injustice' that has left thousands of inmates trapped in prison for minor offences. Former High Court judge Sir John Saunders stated he would apologise to IPP prisoners he jailed, while former recorder Simon Tonking says he feels driven to rectify the system that he was part of. Over 2,500 prisoners remain incarcerated under IPP sentences, which were abolished in 2012 but not retrospectively, with cases including people serving nearly two decades for mobile phone theft. The judges are backing proposals from the Howard League for Penal Reform, advocating for IPP prisoners to be given a release date within a two-year window at their next parole hearing, alongside mental health support. Prisons Minister Lord Timpson said the IPP sentence was rightly abolished and support has improved, but said further reductions in prisoner numbers will only occur in a way that protects the public.
The Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Sun
Labour must come up with a deterrent that makes migrants worry their money won't get them what or where they want
Boats sailed WHEN will the Government finally get the message on illegal immigration? Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's announcement of 300 extra National Crime Agency officers to tackle people-smuggling gangs is welcome, of course. 1 Anything that disrupts this evil trade is a good thing, in the same way that a crackdown is needed on profiteers who employ the migrants on the cheap — no questions asked — when they get here. But if this £100million investment is the Government's grand plan to 'break the business model' of the crooks then it is doomed to failure. When the risk-versus-reward equation is so much in their favour, the smugglers and the illegal migrants will always find a way. The incentives are too great: millions of pounds for the smugglers, for little effort; hand-outs, accommodation and black market jobs for the migrants, with virtually no chance of being deported. The only way to break the business model is to come up with a deterrent which makes the migrants worry that their money — and the dangers they will face — won't get them what they want. Or where they want. A deterrent like the Rwanda scheme, which was already beginning to work but which Labour couldn't wait to ditch. The soaring number of Channel small boats is the inevitable consequence. Jobs shame THE number of young people facing unemployment is one of the most heart-breaking results of the Chancellor's job-wrecking tax hikes. A million Neets — youngsters Not in Education, Employment or Training — is a disaster for the economy as well as a tragedy for them. Migrant boats are carrying 'bad people' REJECTED by other NATIONS says Trump At a time in their lives when they are desperately trying to find their place in the world, a job — or the skills to get one — gives them purpose and a sense of who they are, just as surely as being dumped on benefits crushes that. The Skills Tax Relief proposed by more than 100 business chiefs would be a vital boost to apprenticeships and vocational training, offering young Brits a route into the workplace. If Rachel Reeves isn't swayed by the thought of saving so many from the scrapheap, then she should be swayed by the £10billion of welfare savings it could bring over the next five years. It's not the water temperature that puts them off but the sewage dumped in it. What a blow for our coastal communities and seaside resorts.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Call for witnesses after man dies at Oasis reunion show
A man in his 40s died after a fall at Wembley Stadium during an Oasis concert on Saturday. Metropolitan Police officers, venue medics, and the London Ambulance Service responded to reports of an injured person at approximately 10.19pm. The man was found with injuries consistent with a fall and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident to assist their investigation. The concert was part of Oasis's ongoing reunion tour, which has seen sell-out crowds pack stadiums across the UK.
