The physical restraint used on Robert Gracey, aged 39, of Morton Terrace, Gainsborough, was dubbed ‘utterly unsuitable’ and ‘likely contributed to his death’, found an inquest jury. Mr Gracey died during the early morning of 29 September 2021 at Lincoln County Hospital after becoming non-responsive in a police vehicle. Earlier, he had been restrained outside Gainsborough Police Station. The jury at Myles Cross Centre in Lincoln verified the medical cause of death as the impacts of cocaine, restraint, and struggle against restraint, compounded by a damaged heart. The inquest revealed body camera footage showing officers restraining Mr Gracey prior to placing him in the vehicle. Ex-officer Garry Firth confessed to striking Mr Gracey to ‘divert his attention’ during the arrest. The jury expressed criticism of the failure to classify the situation as a medical emergency and noticed that Mr Gracey was not supervised in the vehicle. This case brings focus to concerns regarding police training and responses to intense behavioural disturbances. Mr. Gracey’s bereaved wife, Zoe, conveyed her sorrow and called for lessons to be taken from the incident.
This article was developed by The Lincoln Post from the original report by www.bbc.com.
