4 January 2019

Before HM Assistant Coroner Paul Bennett
Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Coroner’s Court, sitting at County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA61 1TP

Opens on 7 January 2018, expected to last for 2 weeks

Meirion James died on 31 January 2015 following restraint by police officers at Haverfordwest Police Station in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He had been detained by Dyfed-Powys Police and taken to Bronglais Hospital the day before his death. He was 53 years old and was a dearly loved son, brother and uncle. He had a history of bipolar disorder.

The inquest will explore a wide range of issues, including:

• The management of Meirion’s risk by police officers the day on 30 January 2015, and their handover to staff at Bronglais Hospital
• The treatment of Meirion James at Bronglais Hospital on 30 January 2015
• The management of Meirion’s risk at Haverfordwest Police Station on 31 January 2015
• The restraint of Meirion on 31 January 2015 and the emergency response thereafter
• Training of the police officers involved in relevant areas

Meirion’s sister, Diana Vaughan-Thomas, said on behalf of the family: “We have had to wait four years for this inquest.  We hope to learn the truth about Meirion’s death and that, where appropriate, lessons are learnt so that what happened to him doesn’t happen to anyone else”
ENDS

NOTES

For further information, please contact Lucy McKay on 020 7263 1111 or here.

INQUEST has been working with the family of Merion James since his death. The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Clare Richardson of Deighton Pierce Glynn solicitors, and Rajiv Menon QC of Garden Court Chambers.