Mikey Inquest Updates

4WardEverUK

Man who died in police cells showed signs of ‘mental illness’ says GP

Face in the Shadowsfrom Birmingham Mail
18th November 2009

A Birmingham GP described how she suspected a father-of-three had signs of “mental illness” three days before he died in police custody, an inquest heard.

Michael Powell, aged 38, was taken to Thornhill Road Police Station, in Handsworth, after he was arrested for causing a disturbance outside his home. He died while in the police cells on 7th September 2003.

GP Prema Iyengar told the inquest at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall she had been Mr Powell’s doctor for more than 15 years.

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Witness hears custody death man mum’s plea for an ambulance

Mikey Powell sister and mother
Mikey Powell’s sister and mother

from Birmingham Mail 13th November 2009

The mother of a man who died in police custody shouted “he needs an ambulance” shortly before he was taken away in a riot van, an inquest heard.

Michael Powell suffered a cardiac arrest in a cell at Thornhill Road Police Station, Handsworth, six years ago after being arrested for smashing windows and violent behaviour outside his mother’s home in Wilton Street, Lozells.

Neighbour Michael Clifford said he watched at least five police officers restraining the father-of-three before he was placed in a police van. He told the inquest jury: “They were trying to calm Michael Powell down.

“He was on the ground. It sounded like he couldn’t get his breath, that he was struggling. He just kept on trying to get back up but the police officers kept him down. The police managed to get Mr Powell under control and he stopped struggling.

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Mikey Powell inquest hears family’s account

Campaign for Justicefrom Socialist Worker Online
10th November 2009

Evidence is being heard at an inquest at Sutton Coldfield town hall into the death of Mikey Powell.

Mikey died six years ago in a prison cell at Thornhill Road police station after being arrested outside his family home in Lozells, Birmingham. Judy Powell, Mikey’s sister, who gave evidence at the inquest, reiterated the family’s belief that police action was racially motivated.

She said, “If it was a white person and they saw the blood they would have taken him straight to hospital and sorted him out and found out what was going on. “Because he was black they threw him in the van like he was an inhuman being.”

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