IPCC investigate Nottingham pregnant woman's premature birth

The police watchdog is investigating whether a pregnant woman's treatment in custody played a part in her going into premature labour.

Lynette Wallace from Nottingham was arrested in 2011 and was stripped and handcuffed.

She was seven and a half months pregnant at the time.

Her treatment was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which said it was now looking into a link with the birth.

Miss Wallace, 42, a mother of seven, was arrested in July 2011 on suspicion of arson, although subsequent charges were later dropped.

She was taken into custody at Bridewell police station where she was assessed as being at a risk of self-harming.

'Violated'

Officers stripped Miss Wallace, 42, from the waist up for 13 minutes and she was unable to make childcare arrangements, adding to her distress, the IPCC said.

She was also put in handcuffs for 11 hours.

She gave birth to a daughter several weeks early.

Miss Wallace said she thought the officers involved should be dismissed.

"I was handcuffed for 11 hours behind my back and when you're seven and a half months pregnant, it's really difficult, uncomfortable and painful.

"It's degrading and humiliating - I felt violated," she said.

Nottinghamshire Police referred her treatment to the IPCC, following a complaint.

'Gross misconduct'

An spokeswoman for the watchdog said: "The IPCC is now investigating the possibility that there was any causal link to the premature birth of Lynette Wallace's baby.

"As such we have written to her solicitors to ask for relevant material which would assist the IPCC in this investigation."

The commission said it was also considering whether to make a complaint to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Last month Nottinghamshire Police found an inspector and two sergeants guilty of "gross misconduct" for their part in Miss Wallace's treatment and they were disciplined.

The force said mistakes had been made and two of the officers had received final warnings.