Inquest rules Stoke-on-Trent dad was 'unlawfully killed'
Joshua Ball died in hospital after being restrained by police.
An inquest into the death of a man from Stoke-On-Trent has ruled he was 'unlawfully killed.'
26-year old Joshua Ball was seen in an apparently drunken state in Packmoor on 28 May 2018, and was then restrained by police and paramedics.
The father-of-one died in hospital after suffering a number of seizures and heart attacks.
An inquest jury found a number of actions by police and ambulance staff were inappropriate. but weren't a contributory factor in his death.
The inquest concluded that a rock thrown at Joshua by a member of the public, combined with acute cocaine intoxication led to serotonin syndrome, and ultimately caused his death.
Joshua’s father, Stephen Ball, said: “It has been a long and hard 5 years since Joshua tragically died. I have always wanted the truth and justice for Joshua about the way he was treated on that fateful day.
"I am relieved and grateful that the jury has vindicated our longstanding belief about the inhumane and degrading way in which Joshua was treated by the police, ambulance service and hospital Trust.
"I am also relieved that the jury have placed on record that he was unlawfully killed. I will hold Joshua in my heart forever and we as a family will not give up on our fight for justice for him."
Caroline Finney, Caseworker at INQUEST, said: “Joshua’s death following the failings of both the ambulance and police services is a further indictment of the failure to treat individuals in severe mental health crisis as individuals in need of support.
"Indeed, despite having been physically attacked by others and bleeding, Joshua was restrained by the police and not appropriately cared for by paramedics.
"Acute Behavioural Disturbance is now a well-known collection of symptoms that should trigger a medical emergency. Resources need to be urgently allocated to specialist mental health responders and end the over-reliance on policing mental ill-health.”
Staffordshire Police said the matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) the day after Joshua's death. An investigation found there was no case to answer for the police officers involved.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison said: “Joshua’s death was untimely and tragic, and has left a child without their father.
“Throughout the various investigations and coronial process, Joshua’s family have been courageous and dignified. We recognise how long they have had to wait for the inquest and hope it has helped with their understanding of what happened to Joshua.
“He died in sad and difficult circumstances and our thoughts remain with his family and friends.”