Inquest to be held into death of Luton father Leon Briggs 'after seven long years of delays'

Leon Briggs was 39 years old when he died on November 4, 2013.

He had been detained under the Mental Health Act (section 136), and died following restraint by Bedfordshire Police officers at his arrest and at Luton Police Station.

Seven years on, the six-week inquest into Leon’s death will begin on January 4, 2021, and it will be presided by senior coroner for Bedfordshire, Emma Whitting.

Leon's mother Margaret Briggs said: “It has been over seven long years of delays and excuses. Enough is enough.

"It is my belief that, if Leon had been fairly treated by the police, he would still be with us today.

"Leon was a loving father and our family need answers, which we hope this inquest can provide.”

Leon was a father to two children and his family describe him as “a loving brother and father, caring and genuine”. In addition to his day job as a lorry driver, he taught computer skills to the elderly.

On November 4, 2013, police were called following reports of a man behaving unusually in the street.

When officers arrived, they restrained Leon and detained him under the Mental Health Act. East of England Ambulance Service arrived shortly after. Leon was then transported in the back of a police van to Luton Police Station and placed in a cell.

Leon became unresponsive and an ambulance was called to take him to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The inquest will explore the actions of the police and ambulance service and whether their actions were appropriate, caused or contributed to Leon’s death.

The inquest follows an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (the IPCC, which was subsequently replaced by the Independent Office for Police Conduct or IOPC). In 2016 they referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether manslaughter charges should be brought against the officers involved in Leon’s death.

In 2018, the CPS confirmed no further action would be taken.

In February of this year, a gross misconduct hearing was due to take place to consider allegations against three officers for breaching professional standards concerning the use of force, and against five officers for breaching standards relating to duties and responsibilities.

However, the IOPC had to withdraw the directions of misconduct after Bedfordshire Police said they would not present any evidence against its officers.