IPCC probe into Kesia Leatherbarrow's death after court appearance

  • Published

The death of a teenage girl the day after she appeared in court is being investigated by the police watchdog.

Kesia Leatherbarrow, 17, was arrested by police on 30 November on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of class B drugs at a house in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

She appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court on 2 December and was bailed to re-appear at youth court the next day.

However, her body was found in Dukinfield on 3 December.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has started an investigation after it was referred by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

IPCC associate commissioner Tom Milsom said: "Our independent investigation will examine all the circumstances of Kesia's detention and the handover to the court.

"It will seek to establish whether GMP followed all of its own policies and procedures and that national guidelines were observed."

An inquest into Kesia's death was opened and adjourned at Trafford Magistrates' Court on 18 December.

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