The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today announced its decision to bring criminal proceedings against a Healthcare Practitioner (HCP) in relation to the death of William Cameron.
William, 38, died in police custody at Loddon Valley police station, near Reading in Berkshire, on 8 January 2020. A HCP working at Loddon Valley Police Station that evening, will be charged with Gross Negligence Manslaughter and Section 7 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The HCP will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 1 July 2025 at 10am for a first hearing.
A Police Sergeant who was also under criminal investigation for Gross Negligence Manslaughter and Misconduct in Public Office will not face any charges over William’s death.
The decision follows an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who passed their file to the CPS in 2021.
Patricia Cameron, William’s sister, said: “William was a kind, loving and protective brother. He was one in a million. It has been an agonisingly long four year wait of uncertainty, but I have completely committed myself to the processes I have been expected to follow in seeking justice for William.
Whilst I am relieved that this now includes forthcoming criminal proceedings due to CPS’s decision to charge the police station healthcare practitioner, which I welcome, I am disappointed this does not also include the actions of the Police Sergeant that night.
It has been five and a half years since William died and I remain completely invested in finally getting some answers to questions I’ve been asking myself since William died.”
Jodie Anderson, Senior Caseworker at INQUEST, said: “The CPS’s decision not to charge the Police Sergeant involved in William’s death is disappointing and continues a deeply concerning pattern of inaction following deaths in custody. After four long years of waiting, this outcome reinforces what bereaved families know all too well: the justice system consistently fails to hold police officers accountable when someone dies in their care.
Families have a right to expect that both police and healthcare staff involved in such cases are held to the full extent of the law. Time and again, that standard is denied in full.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information contact Leila Hagmann on leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk.
William’s family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Rachel Harger of Bindmans Solicitors. The family are supported by Senior Caseworker, Jodie Anderson.
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN DEATHS
Since 1990 there have been 1,926 deaths recorded by INQUEST in or following police custody or contact. In that time only one on duty police officer has been found guilty of manslaughter in 2021, and none for murder.
Dalian Atkinson, 48, died on 15 August 2016, following use of force by officers of West Mercia police. PC Benjamin Monk was found guilty of his manslaughter, and was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2021. More information.
In total there have been 12 murder or manslaughter prosecutions brought relating to on duty police officers, including the prosecution in the Dalian Atkinson case.
The 11 other murder and manslaughter charges did not result in guilty verdicts.
Prosecutions have also been brought following deaths in police contact under Health and Safety legislation.
Other criminal charges against officers, such as perjury and misconduct in public office, have been brought following deaths in custody, but most have led to acquittals or not guilty verdicts.
William Cameron
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.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today announced its decision to bring criminal proceedings against a Healthcare Practitioner (HCP) in relation to the death of William Cameron.
William, 38, died in police custody at Loddon Valley police station, near Reading in Berkshire, on 8 January 2020. A HCP working at Loddon Valley Police Station that evening, will be charged with Gross Negligence Manslaughter and Section 7 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The HCP will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 1 July 2025 at 10am for a first hearing.
A Police Sergeant who was also under criminal investigation for Gross Negligence Manslaughter and Misconduct in Public Office will not face any charges over William’s death.
The decision follows an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who passed their file to the CPS in 2021.
Patricia Cameron, William’s sister, said: “William was a kind, loving and protective brother. He was one in a million. It has been an agonisingly long four year wait of uncertainty, but I have completely committed myself to the processes I have been expected to follow in seeking justice for William.
Whilst I am relieved that this now includes forthcoming criminal proceedings due to CPS’s decision to charge the police station healthcare practitioner, which I welcome, I am disappointed this does not also include the actions of the Police Sergeant that night.
It has been five and a half years since William died and I remain completely invested in finally getting some answers to questions I’ve been asking myself since William died.”
Jodie Anderson, Senior Caseworker at INQUEST, said: “The CPS’s decision not to charge the Police Sergeant involved in William’s death is disappointing and continues a deeply concerning pattern of inaction following deaths in custody. After four long years of waiting, this outcome reinforces what bereaved families know all too well: the justice system consistently fails to hold police officers accountable when someone dies in their care.
Families have a right to expect that both police and healthcare staff involved in such cases are held to the full extent of the law. Time and again, that standard is denied in full.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information contact Leila Hagmann on leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk.
William’s family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Rachel Harger of Bindmans Solicitors. The family are supported by Senior Caseworker, Jodie Anderson.
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN DEATHS
Since 1990 there have been 1,926 deaths recorded by INQUEST in or following police custody or contact. In that time only one on duty police officer has been found guilty of manslaughter in 2021, and none for murder.
Dalian Atkinson, 48, died on 15 August 2016, following use of force by officers of West Mercia police. PC Benjamin Monk was found guilty of his manslaughter, and was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2021. More information.
In total there have been 12 murder or manslaughter prosecutions brought relating to on duty police officers, including the prosecution in the Dalian Atkinson case.
The 11 other murder and manslaughter charges did not result in guilty verdicts.
Prosecutions have also been brought following deaths in police contact under Health and Safety legislation.
Other criminal charges against officers, such as perjury and misconduct in public office, have been brought following deaths in custody, but most have led to acquittals or not guilty verdicts.
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.