Family plea over custody death
A MAN who died in police custody is believed to have staggered and collapsed after he got out of a police van.
The family of Steven Chesney say they do not know why he was taken to Motherwell Police Station but they have been told by officers that their relative did not resist arrest.
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said the 33-year-old died at Wishaw General Hospital after he “became unwell on arrival in police custody” on Sunday.
Mr Chesney was the father of a three-year-old girl, and had two older brothers and one older sister. He lived in a rented flat i n Cleland, Lanarkshire, which was sealed off by police after the incident.
His father and mother were asked to identify the body yesterday, according to grieving relatives.
“They are in complete shock,” said a family member who asked not to be named. “They’ve got a police liaison officer and obviously we’re all waiting on the results of the post mortem, but more than anything we just want to know why this happened.
“The police won’t divulge very much because it’s a death in custody and it’s sensitive. All we know is he was taken to Motherwell police station and when he was coming out of the van he staggered. One of the officers grabbed him but he collapsed.
“He was given CPR and rushed to Wishaw General Hospital but he died, all within half an hour of being arrested. It was that quick.
“He didn’t have any underlying health conditions, as far as we know, and he was a relatively fit young man.
“One thing the police said was that he was compliant and there wasn’t any mention of violence.
“I pass by that police station every day and there are lots of CCTV cameras on the building. I’m assuming they’ll have it on camera. I’d imagine it will all have been captured.”
Another relative, who also asked not to be named, added: “There are a lot of blanks there that need to be filled in.”
Mr Chesney’s neighbours were also left stunned by his death. His flat in Biggar Road was cordoned off for most of Sunday and Monday morning.
Broken police tape remains tied to railings at the foot of the stairs. Mr Chesney’s car is still parked outside with the driver’s window down.
A single bouquet of flowers has been placed on the ground nearby.
Ronnie Chalmers, 66, who has lived in the area for eight years, said: “There were dozens of officers, some in white suits and wearing masks. They were here all day on Sunday, combing the area.”
Lauren Whiteford, 21, who moved to the street at the turn of the year, added: “They taped off the street and we had to sign out and sign in.
“At least five of the officers were wearing white suits. They were walking up and down in a row, staring at the ground and waving sticks.”
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is to investigate Mr Chesney’s death and a report will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) “in due course,” according to a spokesman.
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this tragic time.”
A police spokeswoman added last night: “There will be no further comment.”