Ten UK police officers are reported to be under investigation for the shocking death in police custody of a 30-year-old Portuguese family man described by neighbours as “a lovely guy” (click here).
When news of André Moura’s death reached Portugal earlier this summer, reports suggested the result of an autopsy would be pivotal.
They would explain why the apparently perfectly healthy father of two who lived with his young family in Oldham, near Manchester, died in a police van on its way from his home to Ashton-under-Lyne police station.
But they haven’t.
Says the BBC, “a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive”.
Thus closure now rests on “the outcome of further tests, including a toxicology report”.
Meantime, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has revealed that “three officers face a criminal investigation, the rest could be charged with gross misconduct”.
Moura’s arrest was filmed by a neighbour whose concern can be heard on truly upsetting clips circulating the net.
The clips record Moura shouting for help and apparently gasping in either agony, distress or a combination of both.
The neighbour calls to police, saying their kneeing of Moura was “a little excessive”.
He is told to go back to his house.
The BBC’s clip ends after Moura seems to say to police in acute distress: “You hurt me”.
A clip on Youtube is more explicit (click here).
The IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe has called the incident “very sad”.
She told the BBC: “This is a very serious and complex case involving a large number of officers which requires a thorough and rigorous independent investigation.
“However, informing officers that they are subject to a criminal or misconduct investigation does not indicate guilt, or mean that proceedings will necessarily follow.
“We intend to interview all 10 officers as soon as possible.”
Moura was found to be “unresponsive” when the police van carrying him arrived at its destination. An ambulance was called but he was pronounced dead at Tameside Hospital less than two hours after his arrest.
Say reports, police were called to Moura’s home following reports of a ‘domestic incident’ at around 11.30pm on the night of July 6.
Here, Correio da Manhã provided some background, saying Moura moved to the UK with his girlfriend about six years ago.
He was described by neighbours as a “doting dad”, “the nicest bloke” – a man who enjoyed hosting barbecues and having the friends of his children come round and jump on the trampoline.
