Paul Coker’s family held a candlelit vigil outside Plumstead police station, south London last week, to mark the second anniversary of his death in police custody.
Patricia Coker, Paul’s mother, said, “Witnesses heard my son in distress yet we have had no answers as to how and why he died.
“We are still awaiting the Crown Prosecution Service decision to find out if anyone is to be charged with our son’s death. I have had to take the Police Complaints Commission to judicial review.
“The shocking number of deaths in custody must be addressed to end the senseless waste of life that takes place. The police should be held accountable for their actions.
Ade Walter
The Independent Police Complaints Commission ruled last week that no police officers will be punished over the death of Roger Sylvester in police custody in Tottenham, north London in 1999.
After the ruling Roger’s mother, Sheila Sylvester, said the officers have “blood on their hands”.
In the 2003 inquest the judge had said, “that there was sufficient evidence for the inquest jury to conclude that Roger was unlawfully killed”.
However, in 2005 the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges.
The campaign for justice for Nadeem (Dean) Khan held a 40 strong public meeting in Burnley on Monday. The meeting heard from Dean’s relatives and friends about the still unanswered questions about his death in police custody on 30 June.
Janet Alder whose brother, Christopher died in custody, said “every single person here has a responsibility to seek justice”. Carol Pounder, the mother of 14 year-old Adam Rickwood who also died in custody, Labour councillor Zahir Ahmed and Preston Respect councillor Michael Lavalette addressed the meeting.
There was a sense of solidarity and hope
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