5th October 2011

Monday 3 October to Friday 7 October 2011.
Before HM Assistant Deputy Coroner Paul Marks.
Sitting at Coroner’s Court, Western District, Office City Courts Bradford BD1 1LA

Sharon Batey collapsed at approximately 10.57 and died in Bradford Police Station on 8July 2008, the pathologist’s cause of death being acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. She had been in custody since 16.30 the previous afternoon, after being arrested for being drunk in a public place in charge of a child under seven years. During her period in detention she was examined by two doctors and two nurses and at one stage sent to hospital.

The inquest into her death, held this week, will consider whether it is possible that increased medication could have prevented her death, and whether her withdrawal was adequately treated.

Sharon’s family are concerned that a variety of medical professionals came to a variety of different decisions as to her fitness to detain or interview, that her initial arrest was unnecessary, that other methods of dealing with her could have been explored, and that her death could have been avoided. The inquest is due to conclude on Friday 7 October 2011.

The family is being represented at the inquest by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Ruth Bundey, partner at Harrison Bundey solicitors.