Police station nurse cleared over detainee death

A nurse on duty in a police station when an arrested man died in a cell has been cleared of manslaughter and breaching health and safety law.

Sean Cregg, 36, was the designated healthcare professional at Loddon Valley police station, in Reading, on 8 January 2020 when William Cameron was arrested on suspicion of assault.

Cregg told a jury he assessed the 38-year-old when he was brought in, but decided he was faking unconsciousness and being "obstructive".

Cameron later died of a heart attack caused by a mix of alcohol, methadone and other drugs, the jury heard.

Three Thames Valley Police officers also faced disciplinary proceedings following Cameron's death.

Guidance issued to Cregg by his employer Mountain Healthcare called for detainees who could not walk or talk to be transferred to hospital immediately.

The prosecution argued the nurse's inaction was "not just a bad day at the office" and amounted to gross negligence.

Cameron was left lying on his front with no attempts to rouse him in the night, or at 06:00 when Cregg looked in on him via the cell spyhole and saw he had not moved.

At 07:04 a police officer also looked through the spyhole and became concerned he could not see him breathing.

Emergency services were called, but he was pronounced dead at 08:16, having suffered a heart attack.

Giving evidence during the trial, Cregg, who lives in Newbury, said he thought Cameron was faking it and wished he had done more.

He told jurors: "I absolutely accept I should have taken more observations, been more thorough. At that time I truly believed he was OK.

"In hindsight, I wish I had done more... if I felt he was unwell I would absolutely have sent him to hospital."

Defending, Selva Ramasamy KC told the jury Cregg did what he thought was right.

He also said the duty of care was not his alone and was shared with the police custody team.

The KC said Cregg was aware that Cameron was intoxicated, but he was not aware he had taken drugs, and that there was a real possibility he would have died even if he had been taken to hospital.

Cregg, who now works in medical equipment sales, buried his head in his hands and sobbed as the not guilty verdicts were announced.

The judge, Mrs Justice Thornton, told him he was free to go.

She thanked the jury, who had deliberated for more than 25 hours, and exempted them from any further jury service.

Following the acquittal, Cameron's sister Patricia said: "Willie's death has changed our family forever. He was the best big brother. He was kind, loving and protective. His death has left a space in our lives that can never be filled.

"For almost seven years, we have had to carry our grief while living with so much uncertainty and unanswered questions. The long wait and uncertainty have taken a terrible toll on our whole family.

"Today's verdict has left me devastated, but it cannot lessen my love for Willie or my determination for truth, accountability and real change.

"What frightens me most is that, meanwhile, another vulnerable person like Willie may not be kept safe in police custody."

Thames Valley Police made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following Cameron's death, whose investigation led to Cregg's charges.

A gross misconduct hearing was also held in January for Sgt Laura Murray, who was present in the custody suite when Cameron was under arrest, and former PC Leon Cunningham, who transported him to custody.

They were both found to have breached standards of professional behaviour.

The IOPC said custody sergeant Murray wrongly authorised Cameron's detention, and failed to ensure checks were carried out properly to reassess him or request medical assistance when he had not been roused for four hours.

Cunningham failed to recognise Cameron needed urgent medical attention or take him straight to hospital as soon as he presented as unresponsive, and did not ask him if he had taken any drugs or accurately pass on information, it said.

In February former detention officer Jack Camp also faced disciplinary proceedings relating to the "acceptable level of diligence to cell checks and to raise concerns over Mr Cameron's health".

Murray was dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing's barred list. Cunningham and Camp, who were also placed on the list, would also have been dismissed if still serving, the panel said.

Assistant Chief Constable Darren O'Callaghan said: "My deepest condolences are with the family of Mr Cameron, and I am truly sorry that he died in such circumstances.

"We expect the highest standards when it comes to the welfare of detainees within our custody environments.

"What happened to Mr Cameron was not right, and it is very clear that he was not provided with the medical attention, care or respect he should have received from those entrusted with his welfare."

He said the organisation had implemented a "number of additional measures and safeguards to protect those who come into our custody environments".

"This has included enhanced scenario training for officers and custody staff, where a detainee may have deteriorating health or appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol," he added.