A 53-YEAR-OLD man died after he was restrained by police officers after he charged out of his police cell in Haverfordwest police station, an inquest has been told today (Jan 7).
Meirion James, from Crymych, was sprayed with pepper spray as he charged out into the corridor.
Mr James, who was arrested earlier that day in 2015, after his vehicle crashed into another in Llanrhystud. Police transported him to Bronglais Hospital before he returned home.
Later that day, Mr James physically assaulted his mother, whom he lived with, and phone the police to report his behaviour.
It was then he was taken to Haverfordwest police station.
When officers went to check on him at 11am, Mr James rushed out of his cell towards them, where they restrained him and used pepper spray.
Mr James became unresponsive and officers were unable to resuscitate him. Attempts at Withybush Hospital were also unsuccessful.
Mr James then became unresponsive, and despite efforts to resuscitate him at the police station and at Withybush Hospital, he was pronounced dead at 11:30am.
The inquest heard that Mr James suffered with manic depression in the 1980s, although he had been more stable in the 1990s.
In 2014 his treatment had been changed when he came off lithium medication – which Mr James said was not as effective.
The inquest continues.
