Ashley Crews was about to be arrested over child sex abuse images when he jumped to his death from a ninth floor of a tower block in Manchester.
The man in his 40s, fell from a bedroom window in front of police officers on February 20.
How it Happened?
Officers had reportedly entered his flat to carry out an arrest on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.
But they did not place him in handcuffs and followed him into his bedroom where Mr Crews opened a window and jumped out.
Paramedics raced to the building and alongside officers fought to save his life. Mr Crews was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a coroner’s report.
What Will Happen Now?
Coroner Zak Golombeck has now raised concerns to curb such ‘future deaths’ as there is currently no local policy for the use of handcuffs when executing an arrest warrant.
Writing to the chief coroner, College of Policing, GMP and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), ahead of a full inquest into Mr Crews’ death being held, he said: ‘There is concern that future deaths will occur, and I am of the opinion that action should be taken to reduce the risk of death.’
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Mr Golombeck said ‘attending officers’ didn’t apply handcuffs and Mr Crews walked to his bedroom after they entered his flat. ‘Some’ officers are said to have followed him, but he ‘was able to open a window and jump out’.
As it is
The organisations have 56 days to respond to the report and confirm what action they have or propose to take while private investigation is going on.
An inquest into Mr Crews’ death was opened on March 12 this year. A final inquest hearing has not yet taken place.
