originally published:
16th October 2009

A Catalouge of police failings led to the death of a Birmingham woman in custody, an inquest jury found. Linda Burt, aged 49, died after being arrested for an alleged breach of the peace following an argument at her mother’s flat in Trident Close, Erdington.

She suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to Good Hope Hospital where she died, on September 27, 2003. The teaching assistant had an undiagnosed severe heart condition and it was this, combined with the stresses of being arrested and police failings, which contributed to the cardiac arrest causing her death.

An eight-man jury at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall took three days to reach its verdict.The jury concluded that the arresting officer was not justified in arresting Ms Burt who suffered pain while being restrained.

In addition, the inquest heard police officers failed to act quickly enough once Ms Burt began suffering from breathing difficulties. Only one officer recognised Ms Burt’s condition while another officer believed she was “faking” the collapse.

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