Milton Keynes man restrained by police unlawfully killed, inquest

A man who died after being restrained by police officers in a hospital’s emergency department was unlawfully killed, an inquest concluded.

Brian Ringrose, 24, from Milton Keynes, died in February 2021 after “prolonged face down restraint” by Thames Valley Police officers at A&E in Milton Keynes Hospital.

After a six-week inquest, a jury at Milton Keynes Coroner’s Court concluded his death was manslaughter. One of the officers involved in the restraint, PC Martyn Jones, was later sacked for “excessive use of force”.

Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt said the force was “deeply sorry” and what had happened to Mr Ringrose was “completely unacceptable”.

The jury’s conclusion stated Mr Ringrose’s death was an “unlawful act manslaughter on the part of a police officer, contributed to by neglect on the part of the restraining officers, the two arresting officers and the healthcare staff”.

Jurors had heard how police arrested Mr Ringrose, a father-of-three, after being called to a domestic incident.

They found he had overdosed on his prescribed mental health medications and they took him to hospital.

The inquest, heard by coroner Dr Sean Cummings, was told how Mr Ringrose was agitated and had reduced consciousness.

Hospital staff then “mistakenly” told police Mr Ringrose had been discharged into their custody, even though – the jury concluded – he was not medically suitable for discharge.

However, he was handed back to PC Martyn Jones and PC Daniel Simson.

The restraint lasted around 25 minutes.

PC Daniel Simson strapped Mr Ringrose’s legs and PC Martyn Jones held Mr Ringrose’s arms backwards using handcuffs, causing muscle tearing and haemorrhaging, the jury heard.

An expert witness told the hearing it would have restricted Mr Ringrose’s ability to breathe.

Five police officers then strapped Mr Ringrose into a flexible stretcher and carried him past hospital staff to a police van.

The jury concluded “the police officers failed to react to Mr Ringrose’s abnormal breathing, which had by this point deteriorated”.

He died in hospital six days later from a brain injury caused by lack of oxygen.

In July 2024, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found PC Jones and PC Simson had committed gross misconduct.

PC Jones was dismissed and PC Simson was given a final written warning.

ACC Christian Bunt added: “Mr Ringrose was subjected to excessive force through restraint by a former officer, which was completely unacceptable.

“The technique used was, and is not, an approved restraint technique and did not follow the force’s operational guidance or approved practices.

IOPC regional director Charmaine Arbouin said it had asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charging the two officers with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

“The CPS decided no charges would be brought,” she added.

She said the use of a “flexible lift and carry system” used to take Mr Ringrose to a police van had been suspended for all forces in England and Wales.

Mr Ringrose’s mother, Mary Ringrose, said: “Brian was a great son, father, brother, uncle and cousin.

“He was funny and sweet and I miss him every day.”

Milton Keynes Hospital’s chief corporate services officer, Kate Jarman, apologised for Mr Ringrose’s death.

She said the hospital had “learnt a great deal and changed a great deal”.