08/06/2009

Teenage Footballer Dies In Custody

A talented footballer has been found dead in policy custody, sparking an investigation by the police watchdog.

Nineteen-year-old Reece Staples, was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after officers were called to a disturbance in the Basford area Nottingham.

The former Nottingham Forest midfielder was taken to Oxclose Lane Police Station, where he fell ill. It is understood he was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post mortem examination took place yesterday at Leicester Royal Infirmary - conducted by a Home Office pathologist. It did not identify any evidence of injuries that may have contributed to his death.

Investigators are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun an investigation into the teenager’s death.

IPCC commissioner Amerdeep Somal said: "The investigation will look at all the circumstances in the lead up to this man's death.

"This will include how police dealt with information they received relating to the deceased's health and wellbeing."

(JM/KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 April 2011
British Man Dies In Dubai Police Custody
A British man has died in police custody in Dubai. Lee Bradley Brown, 39, from east London, died on Tuesday after he was taken to a Dubai police station where he was allegedly assaulted and put into a cell. It has been reported that Mr Brown, was arrested over a row at the luxury hotel Burj Al Arab hotel.
17 October 2005
Royal Military Police chief found dead in Iraq
The senior British military police investigator has been found dead in his quarters at the British Base in Basra in Southern Iraq. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that the body of Captain Ken Masters, 40, was discovered in his accommodation in Waterloo Lines, Basra, Iraq on Saturday 15 October 2005.
27 May 2015
Investigation Launches Over Unexplained Death In Humberside
An investigation is underway after a man was found dead from unexplained knife wounds in Humberside. John Keith Smith, 69, was found dead at his home in Carnforth Crescent, Grimsby at approximately 6.30am on 25 May. As the investigation widens, police are treating Mr Smith's death as suspicious yet unexplained.
20 August 2015
Investigation Launched After Death Of Woman Following Bus Fall
A woman has died in hospital after falling on a route E3 bus on Chiswick High Road, just after 13:30 on Tuesday, 18 August. The 77-year-old woman was taken to hospital by ambulance, where she was pronounced dead shortly before 17:00.
17 April 2015
Appeal For Information After Body Found In Fife
Police in Fife have appealed for information into an ongoing investigation following the discovery of a man's body in Glenrothes. Police discovered the body of Aleksandrs Sokolovs (29) inside a property on Tummel Road on Monday. The death of the Latvian-national is being treated as suspicious.