Man who died after being restrained by police 'should have had an ambulance'

OFFICERS UNAWARE OF MENTAL HEALTH POLICY

- By JOEL MOORE

A NOTTINGHAM man who died after being restrained by police should have been taken to hospital by ambulance straight away rather than handcuffed in a car, an inquest has heard.

Kaine Fletcher died hours after a prolonged period of restraint by police who had detained the 26-year-old under the Mental Health Act on July 3, 2022.

The dad of two, who had been diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder, died from the “physiological effects of physical exertion combined with the toxic effects of cocaine and other substances”

An inquest at Nottingham Coroner’s Court heard Mr Fletcher, who had not been accused of a crime, was put in handcuffs and pinned to the pavement. He was placed in a car and then a van, deliberately banging his head each time.

Officers admitted to the inquest they were unaware they should have called for an ambulance after using emergency powers.

Yesterday, the inquest heard from PC Steven Thompson, who was only six shifts into the job at the time.