14 May 2009

Before HM Coroner for South Manchester, John Pollard
Sitting at Stockport Magistrates Court, Edward Street, Stockport, SK1 3NF.

The inquest into the death of 41 year old Callum McLean opens on Monday 18 May and is expected to last for two weeks.

Callum was detained by Greater Manchester Police on the afternoon of 10 April 2008 and taken to Ashton under Lyne police station where it was noted he had a head injury. Later that evening he was transferred by ambulance to Tameside General Hospital. Callum died when a decision was made to turn off his life support machine on 11 April 2008.

Callum’s family are hoping that the inquest will examine their serious concerns about the level of care Callum received whilst at the police station and whether any actions or failings by the police and the Forensic Medical Examiner could have contributed to his death. The family is also seeking answers to their questions about whether there were discrepancies in the monitoring and observation of Callum whilst in custody given his presentation.

Callum McLean’s family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members barrister Sean Horstead of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Fiona Borrill of Lester Morrill Solicitors, Leeds. Callum’s sister will give a statement at the conclusion of the inquest.

NOTES 

INQUEST is the only non-governmental organisation in England and Wales that works directly with the families of those who die in custody. It provides an independent free legal and advice service to bereaved people on inquest procedures and their rights in the coroner’s courts and conducts policy work on the issues arising.

INQUEST is campaigning to ensure that the Coroners and Justice Bill 2009 results in fundamental reform of an inquest system currently hampered by delay, inconsistency of approach and lack of resources and unable to fulfil its vital function of preventing unnecessary deaths.

The government must also make changes to ensure that bereaved families can participate effectively in inquest hearings by having equal access, alongside the police and Prison Service, to non means-tested public funding for their legal representation. INQUEST's briefing on the Coroners & Justice Bill

Further Information www.inquest.org.uk

Fiona Borrill, Lester Morrill solicitors office 0113 391 6015

Sian Griffiths Casework Service Manager INQUEST office 020 7263 1111