UFFC discuss custody deaths on BBC West Midlands topical news show

Tippa Naphtali
Tippa Naphtali

Tippa Naphtali of the United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) spoke on behalf of families all over the country when he was invited onto the Joe Aldred Show, a popular current affairs programme produced by BBC West Midlands.

Tippa is also the founder of 4WardEver UK and a cousin of Mikey Powell from Birmingham, UK who was killed in the custody of West Midlands police in September 2003.

The United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) is a coalition of families and friends of those that have died in the custody of police and prison officers as well as those who died in psychiatric and immigration detention. It also has members and supporters from campaign groups and advocacy organisations from across the UK.

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‘Excited delirium’ finding in custody death angers parents

originally by: The Guardian
1st February 2012

The parents of a 25-year-old man who died in police custody have been angered by a Home Office pathologist’s finding that their son died of “excited delirium”, a medical term that is not recognised by the Department of Health. The family of Jacob Michael, who died last summer after calling police saying he feared for his life, say the pathology report ignored how their son was heavily restrained by 11 officers on the street outside their home, as well as evidence of broken ribs and a torn liver.

According to witnesses, Michael was repeatedly hit with police batons after fleeing his home when two officers from Cheshire constabulary entered his bedroom and released pepper spray into his face.

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Musician found dead after fleeing police (inquest hears)

Wayne Hamilton
Wayne Hamilton

originally by: The Star  
published: 1st February 2012

A musician was found dead in a Sheffield canal five days after fleeing a police search, his inquest heard. Wayne Hamilton, of Albert Road, Heeley, ran after officers stopped friend Lewis Trotman’s car on Shirland Lane, Attercliffe, Sheffield, in the early hours of June 10, 2010.

His body was found in the nearby Sheffield and Tinsley Canal five days later.  Read 4WardEver UK case profile >

A Sheffield jury inquest yesterday heard Mr Trotman say police started to follow the bandmates as they returned to their Attercliffe recording studio after buying refreshments. Jurors heard the two officers who stopped them believed they could smell cannabis.

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