4 October 2021

Before HM Assistant Coroner Michael Auty QC
Rutland and North Leicestershire Coroner’s Court
Loughborough Town Hall

Opened 4 October 2021 - scheduled for three weeks

Shane Bryant died following restraint by Leicestershire police and members of the public on 15 July 2017. An inquest into his death will now take place to examine the circumstances of his death, including the actions of police and others on the scene.

Shane was a 29 year old Black man from Birmingham. His family describe him as a much-loved person with a wide circle of friends. He was very close to his brothers, his nieces and nephews, as well as his mother who sadly died in 2020 having fought for justice for Shane, her youngest son. Shane has two young children, whom he loved very much.

Shane had a history of mental ill health. He was diagnosed with ADHD and had behavioural problems as a child, which led to anxiety and depression in adulthood. He was seeking support from the doctor and mental health services.

On 13 July 2017, Shane was involved in an attempted robbery of a shop in North West Leicestershire. A number of people, including an off-duty police officer, intervened to prevent him from escaping the scene and violently restrained Shane. After over 17 minutes of restraint, with the off duty officer apparently playing a central role, Leicestershire police arrived.

Shane was arrested and handcuffed, and arm and leg restraint straps were applied. He did not reply to being cautioned by police. At some point it was understood that Shane was unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Paramedics began CPR before Shane was taken to hospital at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he was pronounced dead on 15 July 2017.

The police and several witnesses have been granted anonymity for this inquest and their evidence will be given from behind a screen. Some members of the family and the jury will be permitted to view the evidence without the screen.

Dean Bryant, Shane’s brother, said: “We hope this inquest will examine thoroughly and fearlessly the circumstances of Shane’s death. Shane deserved to end up in prison for his role in an attempted crime that night. He did not deserve to end up in a coffin. We want justice for Shane and accountability for any failings that contributed to his death.”

Sarah Ricca of Deighton Pierce Glynn, the family’s solicitor along with Elliot White, said: “Shane’s family is very aware that Black men disproportionately die at the hands of police during restraint. They want to shine a light on the continued dangers posed by police restraint and they want to know why lessons supposedly learned from previous restraint deaths are repeatedly forgotten by the police, individually and institutionally.”

Anita Sharma, Head of Casework at INQUEST who is working with the family, said: “Use of force against anyone must be proportionate to the situation and risk of harm. We do not have the death sentence in this country. This inquest must thoroughly examine the actions of those involved in Shane’s premature death, including the response to his ill health by police and the ambulance service.

It is disappointing that witnesses, including police officers involved in Shane’s death, will remain anonymous at this inquest despite their central roles and the principles of open justice. These are public servants and should be held to account publicly. INQUEST has seen that officers are increasingly being granted anonymity and their evidence is being screened from the public.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information please contact Lucy McKay on 020 7263 1111 or [email protected]

Shane’s family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Sarah Ricca and Elliot White of Deighton Pierce Glynn and Fiona Murphy and Cian Murphy of Doughty Street Chambers. The family are supported by INQUEST caseworker Anita Sharma.

Other Interested persons represented are Leicestershire police, East Midlands Ambulance Service, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and two members of the public who were involved in the restraint.