Police watchdog investigates Leeds inmate death case
Posted By admin on March 2, 2010
The police watchdog is investigating a force’s contact with a man who died after becoming ill while in custody.
Jason Jones, 39, died in Leeds General Infirmary on 5 February. He had been remanded at HMP Leeds after being arrested in Beeston on 2 February.
A post-mortem test showed he suffered a brain injury before he was detained.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would determine whether Mr Jones’s treatment was appropriate.
Three men, aged 44, 39 and 34, and a 34-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of Mr Jones’s murder. They have been bailed pending further inquiries.
Mr Jones is believed to have been living in Lodge Lane in the city.
He visited a relative on 2 February and had visible injuries but refused to go to hospital.
The relative called police, who found that Mr Jones was wanted for failing to appear in court over an allegation that he had breached a behaviour order.
He was arrested and taken to hospital, where he received treatment before being taken to Killingbeck Police Station.
On 3 February he was remanded to HMP Leeds. The next day he collapsed at the prison and was taken to the infirmary, where he died.
Police have been trying to trace his movements in the days leading up to his arrest, and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
IPCC commissioner Nicholas Long said: “Mr Jones then spent a period of time in police custody prior to his transfer into the court and prison system.
“It is important we independently investigate that period in police custody to determine whether his treatment was appropriate and to ensure nothing happened which may have compounded or added to his existing injuries.”
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