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Inquest: Police Restraint Before Man's Death Caught on Camera
5 Dec
Summary
- Footage shows man hit twice in stomach, once in leg during restraint.
- Man became unresponsive in police van hours before dying.
- Officers involved made dismissive comments about the deceased.
Footage documenting the moments before Robert Gracey's death, which includes him being struck multiple times by police officers, has been presented at an inquest. Mr. Gracey, 39, died in hospital on September 29, 2021, after being restrained by officers. The jury heard he became unresponsive in a police van.
The inquest was shown body-worn camera footage of the police interaction, which involved Pava spray, handcuffs, and leg restraints. Officers were heard making comments, some dismissive, about Mr. Gracey's behavior. One officer admitted using inappropriate language in radio transcripts when referring to Mr. Gracey.
Mr. Gracey was initially found in an anxious state and later called 999 twice from his home. Despite his apparent distress and refusal to speak to officers, he was taken into custody, and later became unresponsive in the police van. He was pronounced dead after CPR attempts.
