Reading custody nurse cleared over man’s death in police cell
Sean Cregg, 36, who is originally from Dublin, broke down and wept in the dock of the Old Bailey as he was found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of William Cameron.
The sister of a man who died in police custody has spoken on her “devastation” after a custody nurse was cleared of his manslaughter.
Sean Cregg, 36, who is originally from Dublin, broke down and wept in the dock of the Old Bailey as he was found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of William Cameron, 38.
A jury which deliberated for 25 hours and 25 minutes also cleared Mr Cregg of a health and safety charge on Wednesday.
In a statement, Mr Cameron’s sister Patricia Cameron said: “Today’s verdict has left me devastated, but it cannot lessen my love for Willie or my determination for truth, accountability and real change. What frightens me most is that, meanwhile, another vulnerable person like Willie may not be kept safe in police custody.”
Following the verdicts, the police watchdog confirmed that gross misconduct was found proven for two police officers and a staff member earlier this year.
The trial had heard how Mr Cameron was under the influence of drink and drugs when he was arrested in Reading town centre at 1.50am on January 8 2020 as he was walking his dog, Laura.
His partner, Theresa Yearwood, had called police to complain about him, even though neither party was injured and she later insisted he had not assaulted her and it was only a “figure of speech”.
Mr Cameron begged to be allowed to go as he was arrested on suspicion of assault and collapsed before he was put into a police van.
By the time he reached Loddon Valley police station, Mr Cameron had become unresponsive and limp and was carried into a cell.
Members of Mr Cameron’s family in court became tearful and upset when police bodyworn video was played of his final interactions with police and the moment he collapsed.
Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC had alleged Mr Cregg had made the “most cursory” examination of Mr Cameron in custody when asked by a duty custody sergeant to look at him.
She told jurors: “Sean Cregg thought that William Cameron was drunk and faking his unconsciousness and did nothing.”
While in the cell, Mr Cregg allegedly remarked: “He has had something nice,” which was said to refer to drugs, although the defendant denied it.
Mr Cameron was left lying on his front with no attempts to rouse him in the night or at 6am when Cregg looked in on him via the cell spyhole and saw he had not moved an inch.
At 7.04am a police officer looked at him through the spyhole and became concerned he could not see him breathing.
Emergency services were called but it was “too late” and he was pronounced dead at 8.16am, having suffered a heart attack, Ms Johnson said.
If Mr Cameron had been taken to hospital when Mr Cregg examined him, he would have survived, the court was told.
Giving evidence, Mr Cregg, of Newbury in Berkshire, admitted that he thought Mr Cameron was faking it and he wished he had done more.
He jurors: “I absolutely accept I should have taken more observations, been more thorough. At that time I truly believed he was OK.
“In hindsight, I wish I had done more. I believed he was being obstructive. If I felt he was unwell I would absolutely have sent him to hospital.”
Mr Cregg told jurors that he believed that Mr Cameron had been walking and talking before being taken into custody and he took what officers told him at “face value”.
He added: “Based on the observations I did take, I genuinely thought he was drunk and that was probably compounded by all the other detainees I had seen in custody.”
Cregg, who was working for Mountain Healthcare agency at the time, said Mr Cameron had been breathing, reacted to light, had a strong pulse and good colour when he examined him.
He told jurors that he had seen many instances when someone had “pretended to be unconscious” one moment and then be “jumping up and down” in their cell the next.
In her statement, Mr Cameron’s sister said: “Willie’s death has changed our family forever. He was the best big brother. He was kind, loving and protective. His death has left a space in our lives that can never be filled.
“For almost seven years, we have had to carry our grief while living with so much uncertainty and unanswered questions. The long wait and uncertainty have taken a terrible toll on our whole family.”
Jodie Anderson, senior caseworker at INQUEST supporting Mr Cameron’s family, said: “This has been a long and difficult process for William’s family. Nothing will bring William back. He was clearly unwell and deserved care, urgency and compassion, not to die alone in a police cell because those on duty thought he was ‘faking it’.
“Today’s verdict does not change the fact that William died in police custody after opportunities to recognise and respond to his condition were missed by both the healthcare nurse and the police officers involved. Nor does it change the family’s unanswered questions about why the support he needed was not provided.
“Responsibility for William’s welfare did not rest with just one individual. Today’s verdict does not alter the longstanding inability of institutions to hold those responsible to account when people die following contact with the police.
“William’s death must prompt meaningful change. We cannot continue to rely on a police system that responds to people who are clearly unwell with assumptions, dismissal or containment. They must be met with care and compassion instead.”
Independent Office for Police Conduct director of engagement Derrick Campbell said: “We note today’s outcome of this trial, and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of William Cameron and all those affected by his death.
“Mr Cameron died after being left unresponsive on the floor of a Thames Valley Police custody cell floor for four hours.
“When someone dies in police custody our role is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding their detention.
“It’s clear Mr Cameron did not receive the duty of care that he should have. Two Thames Valley Police officers and one staff member committed gross misconduct in how they dealt with him while he was under arrest and in their custody.
“They have all been placed on the College of Policing’s barred list meaning they cannot work in policing again.”