23 November 201116 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Government to apologise to Alder family over custody death

Press Release by: The Guardian
published: 22nd November 2011

The government will formally apologise through the European court of human rights (ECHR) to the family of Christopher Alder, a black ex-soldier who choked to death in handcuffs on the floor of a Hull police station 13 years ago. The “unilateral declaration” made by the United Kingdom to the court is a highly unusual admission of widespread failures in the investigation into the cause of the Falklands veteran’s death.

In its statement to the ECHR, the government will concede that it breached its obligations in regard to preserving life and ensuring that no one is subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment. The family is to receive €34,000 (£29,000) from the government in an ex gratia payment and to cover legal costs.

10 November 201116 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Police to investigate mortuary ‘mix up’

originally by: Channel 4 News
published: 7th November 2011

Christopher Alder, 37, choked to death while handcuffed and lying on the floor of a police station in Hull, in the early hours of April 1 1998. It now appears a Hull pensioner of Nigerian descent, Grace Kamara, was buried in his place in 2000.

She’s understood to have died from natural causes in 1999 but her burial was delayed and finally scheduled for Friday.

The mix-up was only discovered when her friends and family were recently granted permission to identify the body. But they discovered Mr Alder’s remains were in her place in the mortuary.

5 November 201116 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Two HMP Preston officers charged after death of inmate

all credits: BBC News
published: 2nd November 2011

Two prison officers have been charged following the death of an inmate at a Lancashire jail. Christopher Oldham, 36, was found hanging in his cell in HMP Preston on 21 April. He was on remand, accused of perverting the course of justice. Shaun Percy, 49, of Walton-le-Dale, is charged with misconduct in public office. He has been suspended.

His wife, Lisa, also 49, is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. She is also suspended. Both are due to appear before Preston magistrates on 21 November.