Reece Staples inquest: Teen told cops he was dying after swallowing drugs
A TEENAGER who died in police custody after swallowing at least 19 bags of cocaine told police he had drugs in his stomach and thought he was going to die.
Reece Staples, 19, died on June 7, 2009, after smuggling drugs into the country from Costa Rica.
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Reece Staples died in police custody after swallowing at least 19 bags of cocaine.
He had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle in Bramble Close, Basford, at 1.15am and collapsed in a cell at Oxclose Police Station about four hours later.
The inquest into his death heard that Mr Staples had run away from police when they arrived at the scene and tried to arrest him.
He was caught by PC Ben Hensell, who Mr Staples threatened to "shank", meaning stab, but a search revealed he had no weapon.
Sergeant Neil Haynes told the inquest that Mr Staples said he had been running away as he was out for a jog before talking about having drugs in his stomach.
He added: "He said 'I am going to die. I have got coke in my belly'."
Mr Staples then told Sgt Haynes he had been to Costa Rica and packages in his stomach had burst.
Sgt Haynes asked whether he was referring to cocaine and Mr Staples said he was and told him to check the airline records.
Sgt Haynes said he thought Mr Staples was lying and didn't ask him any more questions.
He said: "It was a claim he made to me that was between two other claims that were proved to be, or I believed to be, incorrect and inaccurate."
Sgt Haynes, who told the court that he had received no formal training into spotting people who had ingested drugs, added that he did not believe Mr Staples could have been dying from a drug overdose because he had seemed fit and well when running away.
None of the officers present at the scene asked any further questions about Mr Staples ingesting drugs or discussed the matter with each other.
Five police officers involved in the incident later received formal written warnings for gross misconduct after an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The inquest also heard from forensic pathologist David Rouse.
Dr Rouse said that Mr Staples had twice the normal fatal level of cocaine in his blood, and it was unlikely that he could have been saved.
He added: "If he had been taken to hospital at the time of his arrest at 1.20am, the outcome would have been the same."
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by grattage
Saturday, February 18 2012, 6:27PM
“My grandmother once said to me don't ever condemn other peoples children when you have children of your own, I have always led my life remembering this. My thoughts are with this young man and his family because he was just a pawn in somebody else's game.”
by lemons1
Saturday, February 18 2012, 2:39PM
“I agree - Young, naive, irresponsible, he shouldn't have:
A, smuggled drugs to begin with
B, swallowed them
C, started criminal acts that started this whole thing
It's not the police's fault - it's easy to shift the blame around once someone dies but at the end of the day the lad chose these actions only he had himself to blame - Sorry to his family and friends. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.”
by sime64
Friday, February 17 2012, 4:43PM
“How many lives would that coke in his stomach impacted on in a bad way had it reached the streets?
Natural justice in action!”
by yepitsthepigs
Friday, February 17 2012, 4:25PM
“How on this earth could a policeman even begin to be complicite in his death. THE LAD SHOULDNT HAVE DONE IT ANYWAY! Certainly wasnt the policemans fault. what a carry-on”
by zicorice
Thursday, February 16 2012, 10:21PM
“I feel for his family and also for the police officers in this case. A very talented youngster, who lost his way and made some very poor decisions, that ultimately cost him his life. A sad case all round. There are no winners in this and it shows how badly these things can go for those who are tempted.”
by cafka2020
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:23PM
“In space no-one can hear you scream. Rest in peace big Jim”
by Chewchewchew
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:17PM
“Much as I feel sorry for this lad's family I'm afraid I am with paulmetcalf, K2kinks and yepitsthepigs. Not only was swallowing the bags of drug dangerous, stupid, greedy and selfish but running with the packages in his system and smashing things up may well have contributed to the bounty tearing. On the other hand if he hadn't have died with all that cocaine inside him that junk would be out on the streets earning some dealing bully his pockets money.”
by Shat_Bassoon
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:10PM
“i thought you were supposed to sniff charlie not swallow it? it begs the question, what on earth are they teaching kids these days!?”
by kumkwat
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:03PM
“News of his death was greatly exaggerated.”
by yepitsthepigs
Thursday, February 16 2012, 4:19PM
“Own fault, end of. Let this be a lesson to others”