Student died while in police custody

September 23rd, 2009 | Author: Gaynor Kuye

originally published:
11th September 2009

A student who died in police custody had been living with an undetected heart abnormality which was a ticking time bomb, an inquest heard yesterday (Thursday).

Ayodeji Awogboro, 23, died from heart failure at University College Hospital London in May last year after a birth defect left him unable to cope with high levels of stress and exertion, St Pancras Coroner’s Court was told.

His heart rate and breathing had shot up on the day of his death after he was chased by police, first by car and then on foot.

They had noticed him in a traffic lane, either because he ignored a red light or because something caught their attention, according to police evidence at court. They checked out his vehicle on the police system – it showed it had a minor traffic offence outstanding linked to it – and began to follow him, from Seven Sisters Road in Finsbury Park to Parkside Crescent off Isledon Road. Mr Awogboro jumped out of the car and fled to a nearby park.

The court heard he resisted arrest and officers struck him three times with a baton and sprayed him with CS spray.

Read full report >