Author: Tippa Naphtali

Tippa Naphtali

Mental health triage to expand across W.Mids after successful pilot

unmarked ambulancesource: Mental Health Today
published: 10 October 2014

The mental health triage scheme, which sees psychiatric nurses attend with police officers to people suspected of being mentally unwell, is to be rolled out across the West Midlands after a successful pilot.

Since January, West Midlands Police officers have been crewed with psychiatric nurses and paramedics to answer calls in Birmingham and Solihull involving people believed to be experiencing mental ill health.

This has meant medical experts, rather than police officers, have been on hand to carry out assessments on individuals at the scene. They can also access patient records to determine if anyone they encounter is on medication or has previously experienced mental illness.

Continue reading

Tippa Naphtali

Marlon McIntosh’s mum: I want the truth about how my son died

Marlon McIntoshsource: Birmingham Mail
published: 10 October 2014

The mother of a 28-year-old found hanged in his prison cell has pledged to fight to find out the truth after an inquest returned an open verdict. Marlon McIntosh, from Quinton, was serving a nine-week sentence for theft when he was discovered dead on April 30 last year at Birmingham Prison.

His devastated relatives were told by prison bosses that he had been found hanged.His mum Marlene spoke out after the three-day inquest and said the family had always believed that Marlon had not taken his own life.

The 50-year-old says she was now planning to continue the fight to find out the truth behind the death of the dad of two young daughters.The retail worker added: “We are pleased with the verdict, but it was only what we already knew.

“We knew he did not kill himself, but this verdict has opened even more questions that now need answering. I will not rest until I get the truth about my son’s death. I just don’t know where we go from here.

Continue reading

Tippa Naphtali

Leon Briggs case : No action against PCC over ‘leaks’

Leon Briggssource: Express & Star
published: 17 September 2014

Bedfordshire PCC Olly Martins was suspended by the Labour Party last month after the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) referred an investigation into unauthorised disclosures to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Prosecutors were asked to consider whether Mr Martins should face a charge of misconduct in public office following an allegation that he passed sensitive information to his partner concerning the death in custody of 39-year-old Leon Briggs.

But the CPS has decided there is insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

Luke Bulpitt, a specialist prosecutor with the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: “In August 2014, the IPCC asked the CPS to consider whether Olly Martins, Bedfordshire’s PCC, should face a charge of misconduct in public office.

Continue reading