CPS 'promised not to prosecute' over custody death

Christopher Alder, a former British paratrooper, died in police custody in Hull in 1998

Police were promised they would not be prosecuted over the death of a black man in custody, his sister has claimed in a book detailing the family's fight for justice.

Former paratrooper Christopher Alder was unlawfully killed when he choked to death while handcuffed and lying face down on the floor of a Hull police station in 1998.

His sister, Janet Alder, said there had been communication between Humberside Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2001, with the latter "promising the police they would not be prosecuted for manslaughter".

The CPS said it does not retain historical case files for security purposes so cannot review detailed claims about the original prosecution.

Janet Alder has documented her campaign for justice over her brother's death and her life growing up in care

A spokesperson said: "This was a deeply tragic case and we recognise the pain felt by Mr Alder’s loved ones.

"Our thoughts remain with Mr Alder’s family for the loss they endured."

Five Humberside Police officers were cleared of manslaughter and misconduct in a public office at a criminal trial in 2002.

At the time, the CPS expressed disappointment at the outcome of the trial but said it respected the decision.

However, a police watchdog concluded four of the officers were guilty of the "most serious neglect of duty" and "unwitting racism".

Humberside Police has previously apologised for its failure to "treat Christopher with sufficient compassion".

Ms Alder told the BBC it was a "traumatic" struggle for charges to be brought in the first place.

The family's trauma was compounded in 2011, when Mr Alder's body was discovered in a mortuary while in his grave lay the remains of a 77-year-old black woman.

Ms Alder said: "I've exhausted every avenue, every institution, as far as trying to get justice for Christopher and for my family and it’s never happened, so I felt that I needed to write everything down."

She also claimed a phone call from the CPS in 1999 disclosed "there was no evidence of racism" despite CCTV showing "differential and discriminative treatment".

She said: "I'd seen on the video (CCTV) .... a [white] girl who had gone into custody and she'd cut her finger and they were all rallying around to get her a plaster and saying, 'we have to get you some medical attention'.

"Then comparing it to the way they [treated] Christopher, who was bleeding from his mouth, gasping for his life laid with his trousers and boxer shorts down to his knees, with more severe injuries. Just the comparison of treatment was shocking."

A police watchdog concluded four of the officers in the custody suite were guilty of the "most serious neglect of duty" and "unwitting racism"

"It's been heart-wrenching. It's really been very, very traumatic," said Ms Alder, who will launch her book on Saturday in Hull.

"I've had to dig deep and question myself in lots of ways, as well as trying to keep my sanity."

Writing the book had been "cathartic", she added.

Janet Alder, left, and Christopher grew up in care

Christopher Alder: A timeline

1 April 1998 - Mr Alder is taken to hospital after being injured during an altercation outside a Hull nightclub. He was taken to Queen's Gardens Police Station but within minutes of his arrival he was dead

August 2000 - Following an inquest, a jury returns a verdict of unlawful killing

November 2000 - Mr Alder's funeral takes place

June 2002 - A trial of five Humberside Police officers accused of manslaughter and misconduct in a public office collapses

September-December 2010 - Ms Alder brings a racial discrimination case against the CPS but in March 2011 loses the case

November 2011 - It is revealed Mr Alder's body has been lying in a city mortuary and in his grave are the remains of a 77-year-old black woman. A police inquiry starts into the body mix-up and later the government awards compensation over the custody death

February 2012 - A second funeral is held for Mr Alder

July 2013 - An inquiry by the police watchdog begins into claims Humberside Police spied on Alder family

October 2013 - Investigation into the body mix-up does not lead to any prosecution

March 2018 - Police officers cleared of spying on Ms Alder

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