Investigation and inquest
On 12/05/2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jason Marshall GREGORY aged 44. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 18 February 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was:
Jason Gregory died due to the fact that he was restrained in an inappropriate manner after behaving aggressively in a public place whilst being intoxicated. There was a delay before he received the urgent medical treatment he required during which time he suffered irreversible hypoxic brain damage.
The medical cause of death was:
I a Combined and Delayed Effects of Exertion, Excitement, Restraint, Neck Compression and Drug Intoxication (Cocaine and Alcohol)
I b
I c
II
Circumstances of the death
At about 00.04 on 6 May 2017 Jason Gregory was in Vernon Walk Southampton when he became involved in a disturbance near a night club, as a result of which he was physically restrained by at least two door security staff. During the incident he was struggling and tried to resist and so he was held by an arm hold around his neck for part of the time. His heart is likely to have suffered ventricular fibrillation and then cardiac arrest as a consequence of the restraint, his own exertion and excitement. Other contributory factors for the state of ventricular fibrillation were his intoxication with cocaine and alcohol.
Coroner’s concerns
I heard evidence that door security staff called Southampton Citywatch (Whisky 1) just after midnight on 6 May 2017 by radio reporting a serious disturbance and requesting urgent police attendance at the scene, but this was refused and were told that a call should be made to emergency services using the 999 service. I am concerned that if there is an emergency or serious situation in Southampton known to Citywatch staff by reason of their monitoring or reports received, this fact is not being relayed to Hampshire Police in a timely way and so there is a risk that there will be delays in police officers attending and members of the public are at risk of death or serious injury as a consequence.
It is unclear to licence security staff how they should call for assistance from the police when dealing with time critical situations at busy times.