The family of a vulnerable man who collapsed while in police custody after a heavy webbing belt was placed around his face say they hope their questions about his death will finally be answered at his inquest after 11 “tortuous” years.
Thomas Orchard, 32, who had a history of mental illness, was arrested in Exeter in October 2012 after a disturbance and taken to Heavitree Road police station in the city. He had a cardiac arrest after the US-made emergency response belt was held over his face and he died a week later.
Orchard’s full inquest will begin on Monday at Exeter and Greater Devon coroner’s court before the senior coroner Philip Spinney and a jury. It is due to last until shortly before Christmas.
In a statement released on Sunday, Orchard’s family said: “It has been over 11 tortuous years since Thomas’ tragic death and we welcome his inquest as our first opportunity to play a more active role in the proceedings and to finally get some answers.
“We hope that the inquest process will be robust, with all those involved being open and honest, so that as a family we can not only have our questions answered but also ensure that Thomas’ death can play its part in improving the treatment of those in mental health crisis and in preventing further deaths in police custody.”
The campaign group Inquest said: “On the morning of 3 October 2012, Thomas was detained in Exeter city centre by Devon and Cornwall police officers and transported to Heavitree Road police station where an emergency restraint belt, which had been authorised by Devon and Cornwall police as a bite and spit hood, was placed around his face.
“Shortly after midday Thomas was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead on 10 October 2012. Thomas had a history of serious mental illness.
“Following Thomas’s death, an independent investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission [predecessor to the Independent Office for Police Conduct] was begun. Thomas’s inquest was subsequently suspended by Elizabeth Earland, then senior coroner, to allow for criminal proceedings related to Thomas’s death to take place.
“Following the conclusion of previous proceedings, Thomas’s family requested that the inquest be resumed and, in May 2022, Philip Spinney determined that Thomas’s inquest should be resumed. The inquest will now examine the circumstances of Thomas’s death.”
Interested persons represented at the inquest include the chief constable for Devon and Cornwall, a police sergeant, four constables, two police civilian detention officers, a nurse, Serco – which provides custody services – and Devon Partnership NHS trust.
