This is a media release by Bhatt Murphy re-shared by INQUEST
Before HM Coroner Dr Sean Cummings
Milton Keynes Coroners Court
17 March - 24 April 2025
Following an inquest lasting almost 6 weeks in which they heard distressing and difficult evidence, a Milton Keynes inquest jury has returned a highly detailed and exceptionally damning conclusion, finding that Brian Ringrose’s death amounted to manslaughter, contributed to by neglect on the part of both police and healthcare staff.
Brian Ringrose died on 2 February 2021 at age 24, following a period of prolonged face down restraint by Thames Valley Police officers on the floor of the emergency department at Milton Keynes Hospital. He had been admitted to hospital following an overdose of his prescription medication and an arrest. Hospital staff mistakenly informed police he had been discharged into their custody, with neither police nor hospital staff querying this even though Brian appeared semi-conscious and incapable of speech.
The restraint, during most of which Brian was pinned forcibly to the floor face down, lasted around 25 minutes. PC Daniel Simson strapped his legs and PC Martyn Jones handcuffed his wrists behind his back. PC Jones then forced Brian’s arms backwards over his head by the cuffs for most of the period of restraint, causing muscle tearing and hemorrhaging across both shoulders. One expert witness to the inquest described this technique as “a form of torture”. The jury found that this would have caused Brian “excruciating pain” and that the police officers present ought to have been aware of this. It was suggested that – far from struggling to escape – Brian had been fighting for his life. All of this was witnessed by hospital staff. None intervened.
Five police officers then strapped Brian into a flexible stretcher and carried him out to a police van, past hospital staff, notwithstanding that he had by then become non responsive. Once in the van it was finally noticed that he was not breathing, but resuscitation attempts failed and life support was withdrawn several days later.
PC Jones was fired from Thames Valley Police in July 2024 for his use of “excessive force” and PC Simson received a final written warning. The IOPC investigated the death but declined to refer manslaughter charges to the CPS. The CPS decided that PC Jones should not even be charged with assault.
Brian’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. We want to thank the jury for listening so carefully and respectfully to the shocking evidence of how he died, and for finally giving him some justice”.
Carolynn Gallwey acting for Brian’s mother and sons said: “This was a deeply shocking and brutal police restraint, all the more so given that it took place on the floor of a hospital with healthcare staff looking on but not intervening. This type of death should simply not still be occurring given that knowledge of the risks of restraint has supposedly been embedded in police training for many years, and Brian’s family will be asking the CPS to look again at criminal charges. The family were also astonished to learn today that Milton Keynes Hospital has still not addressed some of their most serious failings around Brian’s death. The family will continue to seek accountability.”
Selen Cavcav Senior Caseworker at INQUEST said: “This is a damning indictment of the failures of the police to learn from previous deaths and it raises serious concerns about the attitudes and approach of both the police and medical staff towards vulnerable people. Brian was at no stage medically fit to be discharged into custody following an overdose, and he deserved to be treated with care, compassion, and respect. Instead, the police violently restrained him. They and the healthcare staff left him to die on the hospital floor. Police must not be above the law: proper due process must now follow to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, a photo, and interview requests please contact leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk
The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Carolynn Gallwey of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Zoe McCallum and Lorna Skinner KC of Matrix Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Selen Cavcav.
HMICFRS Report on their inspection visit to police custody suites in Thames Valley Police in 2024, stated:
“Use of force incidents are monitored at custody governance and performance meetings. But, overall, the governance and oversight of the use of force in custody isn’t good enough. This means that Thames Valley Police can’t always assure itself or the public that when force is used in custody it is necessary, justified and proportionate. This hasn’t improved enough since our last inspection and forms part of our cause of concern about leadership and accountability.”
Other relevant cases:
- Philmore Mills, a 57 year old Black man, died in Wexham Park Hospital on 27 December 2011 after being restrained by 2 police officers and hospital security. He was sitting in a chair when he was taken to the floor and handcuffed behind his back. He was receiving treatment for pneumonia at the time. Media Release
- Neal Saunders, 39, died on 4 September 2020, following prolonged restraint by Thames Valley police officers. Neal was restrained in rear stacked handcuffs and limb restraints by four police officers for over an hour. Two paramedics from Polaris Medical attended Neal after he had already been restrained for around 50 minutes. Media Release
Brian Ringrose
CONTENT WARNING: Please read with care as this page may involve information on death, suicide, mental illness, disability, state neglect, and police and prison violence that some people may find upsetting. If you need support, please visit our support page.
This is a media release by Bhatt Murphy re-shared by INQUEST
Before HM Coroner Dr Sean Cummings
Milton Keynes Coroners Court
17 March - 24 April 2025
Following an inquest lasting almost 6 weeks in which they heard distressing and difficult evidence, a Milton Keynes inquest jury has returned a highly detailed and exceptionally damning conclusion, finding that Brian Ringrose’s death amounted to manslaughter, contributed to by neglect on the part of both police and healthcare staff.
Brian Ringrose died on 2 February 2021 at age 24, following a period of prolonged face down restraint by Thames Valley Police officers on the floor of the emergency department at Milton Keynes Hospital. He had been admitted to hospital following an overdose of his prescription medication and an arrest. Hospital staff mistakenly informed police he had been discharged into their custody, with neither police nor hospital staff querying this even though Brian appeared semi-conscious and incapable of speech.
The restraint, during most of which Brian was pinned forcibly to the floor face down, lasted around 25 minutes. PC Daniel Simson strapped his legs and PC Martyn Jones handcuffed his wrists behind his back. PC Jones then forced Brian’s arms backwards over his head by the cuffs for most of the period of restraint, causing muscle tearing and hemorrhaging across both shoulders. One expert witness to the inquest described this technique as “a form of torture”. The jury found that this would have caused Brian “excruciating pain” and that the police officers present ought to have been aware of this. It was suggested that – far from struggling to escape – Brian had been fighting for his life. All of this was witnessed by hospital staff. None intervened.
Five police officers then strapped Brian into a flexible stretcher and carried him out to a police van, past hospital staff, notwithstanding that he had by then become non responsive. Once in the van it was finally noticed that he was not breathing, but resuscitation attempts failed and life support was withdrawn several days later.
PC Jones was fired from Thames Valley Police in July 2024 for his use of “excessive force” and PC Simson received a final written warning. The IOPC investigated the death but declined to refer manslaughter charges to the CPS. The CPS decided that PC Jones should not even be charged with assault.
Brian’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. We want to thank the jury for listening so carefully and respectfully to the shocking evidence of how he died, and for finally giving him some justice”.
Carolynn Gallwey acting for Brian’s mother and sons said: “This was a deeply shocking and brutal police restraint, all the more so given that it took place on the floor of a hospital with healthcare staff looking on but not intervening. This type of death should simply not still be occurring given that knowledge of the risks of restraint has supposedly been embedded in police training for many years, and Brian’s family will be asking the CPS to look again at criminal charges. The family were also astonished to learn today that Milton Keynes Hospital has still not addressed some of their most serious failings around Brian’s death. The family will continue to seek accountability.”
Selen Cavcav Senior Caseworker at INQUEST said: “This is a damning indictment of the failures of the police to learn from previous deaths and it raises serious concerns about the attitudes and approach of both the police and medical staff towards vulnerable people. Brian was at no stage medically fit to be discharged into custody following an overdose, and he deserved to be treated with care, compassion, and respect. Instead, the police violently restrained him. They and the healthcare staff left him to die on the hospital floor. Police must not be above the law: proper due process must now follow to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, a photo, and interview requests please contact leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk
The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Carolynn Gallwey of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Zoe McCallum and Lorna Skinner KC of Matrix Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Selen Cavcav.
HMICFRS Report on their inspection visit to police custody suites in Thames Valley Police in 2024, stated:
“Use of force incidents are monitored at custody governance and performance meetings. But, overall, the governance and oversight of the use of force in custody isn’t good enough. This means that Thames Valley Police can’t always assure itself or the public that when force is used in custody it is necessary, justified and proportionate. This hasn’t improved enough since our last inspection and forms part of our cause of concern about leadership and accountability.”
Other relevant cases:
Make a Donation
Every year, INQUEST supports hundreds of families bereaved by deaths involving the state. We are independent of government and entirely reliant on grants and donations to continue our vital work.
Support us and bereaved families in the fight for truth, justice and accountability by becoming a regular donor today.
Donate now
Related items
We work to improve police accountability following the use of force and advocate for non-policing solutions
Subscribe to our newsletter
To receive the latest news from INQUEST straight into you inbox please subscribe. For examples of what you will receive, see our previous newsletters.