Dad died in police custody after lamppost rant
A DAD of two who died shortly after being taken into police custody in restraints had shouted for help at a lamppost, saying “they’re going to kill me,” an inquest jury has heard.
Terry Smith, 33, died in hospital the day after being detained under the Mental Health Act.
The inquest heard yesterday how he had moved back to live with his parents two days earlier because of issues with his girlfriend and started acting as if he was on drugs.
Mr Smith’s dad Leslie said: “He ran into the front room behind the sofa and started saying, ‘Help, help me. They’re going to kill me’.”
He than ran out of the flat in Stanwell, Surrey, wearing just boxer shorts and leapt over two gates. “The next minute he was standing under a lamppost,” said Mr Smith senior. “He was shouting at the lamppost for help, saying, ‘They’re going to kill me’.”
He was taken to Staines police station then to St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, where he died in November 2013. Mr Smith senior told the Woking inquest his son’s body had been covered in bruises. The hearing continues.