Essex Police Headquarters, Sandford Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6DN
Starts at 10am Thursday 26 September 2019, expected to last one day
 
A private misconduct meeting into the conduct of Essex Police Constable Trower, following the death of Raymond Knight, is to start at 10am on Thursday 26 September. Raymond was 55 years old when he died at Basildon Hospital on 19 November 2017, after suffering from a seizure at Grays police station. The inquest concluded in April 2019 that the cause of his death was cocaine toxicity.

The inquest heard that when Raymond was stopped in his car by police, PC Trower carried out a roadside search of his outer clothing and another officer searched his car. Drugs were found in the search of the car but not on Raymond’s person. Multiple items were found subsequent to his arrest, including; two paper wraps of cocaine, a grip sealed bag containing a cutting agent and traces of Raymond’s DNA in the holding cell, a ripped piece of plastic bag in his outer jacket at Basildon Hospital and in the police vehicle, both containing traces of cocaine and his DNA.

The misconduct allegations relate to the search of, and duty of care to Raymond Knight. PC Trower, who carried out the roadside search of Raymond’s outer clothing will answer allegations that:

• He may not have completed an adequate search of Raymond;
• He may have failed to take into consideration potential risks posed during the search and arrest of Raymond;
• He may have failed to provide adequate care and attention towards Raymond by leaving him unattended.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

To note your interest or request a photo of Raymond, please contact Sarah Uncles 020 7263 1111 or [email protected]

The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Manveer Bhullar of ITN Solicitors and Chris Williams of Garden Court Chambers.

The misconduct hearing is being held in private and press will not be able to attend. INQUEST will be issuing a media release at the conclusion.
 
The inquest into the death of Raymond Knight concluded on 4 April 2019. Media release.
 
Following the conclusion of the inquest, the Coroner sent a statutory Prevention of Future Deaths report to The Chief Constable of Essex Police in relation to her concerns over the position of CCTV cameras with sight into the individual holding cells. The camera did not have a clear view of inside the holding cell and so could not see what exactly happened to Raymond.