Neal Saunders: Dying man restrained by police, inquest hears

The inquest is being held before a jury at Reading Town Hall

Police officers kept a dying man restrained and cuffed even after they realised he was suffering a medical emergency, an inquest has heard.

Neal Saunders, 39, was detained after police were called to his father's flat in Langley, Berkshire, on 3 September 2020 following an alleged assault.

He died the following day at Wexham Park Hospital.

PC Ashley Jones said he did not hear Mr Saunders' cry, caught on a police body-worn camera, that he could not breathe.

'Legs strapped'

Giving evidence to the hearing at Reading Town Hall, the officer said the man was detained for about 75 minutes because it was the "safest option".

As well as being handcuffed, straps had been placed around Mr Saunders' legs at the ankles and knees, with an officer sitting on him using a baton to press down on the top of his legs, the hearing was told.

PC Jones denied pressing on his neck as he lay on the floor.

Another officer, PC Kevin Brown, said Mr Saunders was hot to the touch, a symptom of Acute Behavioural Disorder (ABD).

He said: "That doesn't make him any less of a risk."

The inquest jury was shown body-worn video of officers preparing to carry Mr Saunders down to an ambulance.

As it began to play in court, his father left the room, accompanied by an usher.

An officer could be heard swearing as a sheet was unfurled to carry Mr Saunders down the stairs.

"We need him on his back, don't we?" asked a second firearms officer.

"Just take him any way you can," replied PC Brown. Another officer replied: "Face down, head up."

PC Brown said the position "wasn't favourable", but denied their actions had favoured speed over Mr Saunders' safety.

The inquest continues.