Dad ‘kneed in head by officer’ before he died
WITNESS CLAIMS MAN WAS KNEED IN HEAD ‘SEVERAL TIMES’ DURING HIS ARREST
THE police watchdog is investigating a claim a dad-of-four was kneed in the head ‘several times’ by an officer before he died.
Video footage of the moment Andre Moura was arrested has been seized as part of the investigation.
Ten officers are on restricted duties following the incident.
Mr Moura, 30, was detained on suspicion of breaching the peace following reports of a domestic disturbance at his home on Seventh Avenue in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police said officers used CS spray to restrain Mr Moura outside his house before he was taken to Ashton-under-Lyne police station.
The force said that ‘on arrival’ at the station, Mr Moura was ‘found unresponsive in the back of the police van.’
He was then taken to Tameside hospital, where he was declared dead at 1.30am.
A post-mortem was ‘inconclusive.’ Further tests will be carried out to determine the cause of Mr Moura’s death.
Police arrived at the scene at around 11.30pm on Friday, July 6.
Footage of the arrest was captured by a resident.
In it, Mr Moura can be heard screaming and telling officers they had ‘hurt’ him.
One of Mr Moura’s neighbours, who shot the video, is heard asking police: “Is he alright?
“You just kneed him about... several times [sic].” An officer replies: “Yeah, I know pal.” The resident, Barry Lee Martin, is then heard saying: “It was a little excessive him kneeing him then.”
An officer replies: “Yeah, you stood here scrapping with him? No. Go back in your house, pal.”
Earlier in the video, an officer can be heard shouting: “Put your hands behind your back. Stop resisting or you’re gonna get sprayed again.”
Mr Moura is heard shouting ‘help me, help.’
GMP made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the incident.
The M.E.N. understands the watchdog is investigating Mr Martin’s claim Mr Moura was kneed in the head a number of times by an officer prior to his death.
IOPC bosses are also understood to be looking into Mr Martin’s allegation that police waited ‘around 15 or 20 minutes’ after Mr Moura was put into the van before taking him to Ashton station.
They will also decide whether any officer has a case to answer over their conduct.
IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said: “I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mr Moura’s family and friends and anyone affected by this tragic incident.
“I would like to thank those who have spoken with us during our house-tohouse enquiries. This really helps us to build a picture of what happened.
“I would urge anyone who may have further information, or footage of the incident, to come forward and talk to us.”
GMP said it could not comment on Mr Martin’s claims and that all enquiries should be directed to the IOPC.
Anyone with information is asked to call 0800 0294694 or email: seventh avenue@policeconduct.gov.uk.