Latest news with #restraint
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Inmate died after ‘restraint-related' incident in prison, inquest hears
A home office doctor has warned jurors about the 'complex' restraint-related death of a father-of-four prisoner, an inquest heard. Azroy Dawes-Clarke, 28, from Romford, east London, was an inmate at HMP Elmley, on the Isle of Sheppey, when he died after suffering multiple cardiac arrests on November 10 2021. He is alleged to have attempted to commit suicide by suffocation before becoming violent and being 'restrained' by prison staff. The medical cause of death has been given as hypoxic ischemic brain injury but it is unclear when and by whom that injury was caused. On Wednesday, Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Olaf Biedrzycki told jurors at Kent and Medway Coroner's Court in Maidstone that medically, Mr Dawes-Clarke's case was 'about as difficult as it gets' for him. He said: 'The cause of death is given as hypoxic ischemic brain injury that's due to either the fact that his heart or lungs stopped working … and that happened very quickly after a period of third-party restraint, which happened shortly after seizure-like activity, which was treated with Diazepam. 'That all followed compression of the neck with a ligature.' There had been a previous incident where Mr Dawes-Clarke had attempted to self-harm or commit suicide two days before his death, the court heard. Body-worn camera footage taken in HMP Elmley and shown in court showed four officers kneeling on and next to Mr Dawes-Clarke, who was face down on the floor prior to his first cardiac arrest. He could be heard yelling repeatedly while restrained, until he was handcuffed and then went limp. One officer was heard saying, 'Have we got a pulse on him? We're not sure if he's breathing, we're not sure', as Mr Dawes-Clarke lay on the floor. Medical staff began CPR before he was taken to hospital, he suffered two more cardiac arrests in the ambulance and a fourth upon his arrival at hospital, where he died soon after. Dr Biedrzycki added that the 'crux' of the inquest would be whether Mr Dawes-Clarke recovered between the suicide attempt and the restraint from prison officers. 'The restraint element is of greater importance if you conclude that the initial ligature compression did not actually cause him to be unconscious and fitting,' he added. Mr Dawes-Clarke's alleged history of self-harm and suicide attempts whilst in prison was not known to the family; he also had several physical health conditions that required ongoing treatment, the court heard. His mother, Marcia Neil, was indignant through tears as she told the court: 'Maybe if they'd phoned me, I could have helped!' Reading a pen portrait, his sister, Shay Inico, said: 'My brother was more than just family; he was my anchor, my confidant, and my unwavering source of support. He was kind-hearted and compassionate, always putting the needs of others before his own. 'Losing him in such a senseless and cruel manner has completely shattered me. The thought of him being restrained, suffering and treated without dignity haunts me every single day.' Father-of-four Mr Dawes-Clarke liked fantasy films and played semi-professional football, he was in the Arsenal FC academy while he was growing up. 'I share this statement because my brother's story deserves to be heard. He was a person full of love, kindness, and potential. He was not defined by his circumstances, and he deserved so much more than the injustice he faced. His life mattered, and his memory will forever remain in our hearts,' said Ms Inico. On Wednesday, his mother, sister and uncle were in court to observe proceedings, and his brother appeared via video-link. Mr Dawes-Clarke was recalled to HMP Elmley on April 23 2020 after breaching his license. 'Where restraint-related deaths do occur, they're invariably erroneously complex cases,' Dr Biedrzycki warned jurors. He added: 'This is about as difficult as it gets for forensic pathologists, and I don't have all the answers.' The inquest continues and is listed until July 11.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Family sues CMPD, claims Jovontay Williams died from restraint-induced homicide
The family of a man who died in custody is now suing the city of Charlotte and four officers who were involved. They called the death of Jovontay Williams preventable, restraint-induced homicide. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Doorbell camera video shows what happened before man's death in CMPD custody In June 2022, police responded to a northeast Charlotte home for a suspicious person who was allegedly trying to break into homes. Body camera video shows they found Williams acting erratically on the porch and put him in handcuffs on the ground. It took 19 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. In the lawsuit, the Williams family said he repeatedly told officers he could not breathe, but they made no effort to reposition him or relieve pressure from his back. According to the suit, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department policy explicitly prohibits this kind of restraint. It said an independent autopsy commissioned by the family confirmed that Williams died from restraint asphyxia while in police custody. VIDEO: Doorbell camera video shows what happened before man's death in CMPD custody
SBS Australia
7 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
'Perilous situation': Penny Wong speaks to Iranian counterpart, urges 'restraint'
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has spoken directly with her Iranian counterpart, urging him in a phone call to exercise restraint as his country launches more missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's unprecedented attacks on Iran's nuclear program. Israel attacked Iran on Friday, with strikes that targeted and killed several top officials and nuclear scientists and dozens of civilians, while Iran's responding strikes have largely been intercepted but still injured dozens and killed at least three people in Israel. Wong said she spoke on Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, after liaising with partners, telling him: "Whatever happens tomorrow affects all people in the region." "I directly put to the Iranian foreign minister, 'We are saying to you, exercise restraint, return to diplomacy and dialogue', because continuing to escalate this has consequences for all peoples of the region and I think that is a position that so many countries in the world are putting to not only the Iranians, but also to the Israelis," Wong told the ABC. Wong said she has also spoken with the Israeli government through ambassadors with a similiar message of restraint. Asked whether the Australian government considered Israel's actions as justified and legal, she said: "Israel has a right to self-defence. But the question here is not a legal proposition, the question here is what do we do now? We know Iran is a threat. We know that its nuclear program poses a threat to international peace and obviously to Israel. What do we do about it? And how do we respond in a way that lessens the risk of more civilians particularly in the region being brought in to this conflict." Airspaces have been closed in Israel and Iran, as well as neighbours Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport has been closed until further notice. Wong said the Middle East was facing a perilous period and that Australians in both sides are being told to shelter. "Obviously this is a very perilous situation. It's a very risky situation," she said. "My thoughts are with Australians and their families who are in Israel and in Iran and for people who have relatives in those countries," she said. "Our advice has been to shelter in place, to take hard shelter, to make sure you keep in touch with Smartraveller, be aware of what the warnings are and messages are on Smartraveller and to follow the advice of local authorities." The Australian government's Smartraveller platform has warned Australians not to travel to Israel or Iran and says those in Iran should shelter in place. Ahead of his first face-to-face meeting with US president Donald Trump at the G7 summit , Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian government was monitoring the situation and doing what it can to look after Australian citizens. Britain says it was moving additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East to provide support across the region. Albanese was asked whether Australia would follow suit. "Australia does not play a role in this military conflict," he said. "I wouldn't expect that there would be a request for Australia to play a military role, but we will continue to play a role in terms of looking after Australian citizens." A statement from the Iranian foreign ministry said Araghchi used the conversation with Wong to discuss "the Israeli regime's aggression against Iran, including attacks on military targets and nuclear facilities". Araghchi "warned about the consequences of the Israeli regime's aggressive policies and called on all countries to take a clear stance on the issue and condemn the Zionist regime and pressure it to end its crimes in the region," the statement read.
CNA
06-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Thailand-Cambodia tensions: Thai army says ready to respond to any violation of its territory
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions, amid a simmering border dispute that flared last week, killing one Cambodian soldier. Following a joint meeting with the army, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra says the military stands at the ready to defend the country's sovereignty. AP Correspondent Jeremy Koh reports from Bangkok.
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
We need to eat more dessert. Ozempic is crushing the hospitality industry
'We're definitely noticing an Ozempic effect,' the chef Stevie Parle told me recently. He was talking about planning the menu for Town, his new restaurant in Covent Garden. When it comes to desserts, in particular, restaurateurs can no longer rely on diners to gorge themselves on pud at the end of a meal. Unlike other prescribed substances, the new wonder drug turns its users into models of restraint. They drink less, eat less, gamble less. One glass, a couple of chips, just a coffee: we are becoming a world of disciplined dowagers. It is good for the waistline and the health service. Recent reports suggested that Ozempic and its competitors could save the British economy £5bn a year. But it is a challenge to chefs and restaurateurs, for whom dessert has always been a reliable margin-booster. Combined with rising costs and weaker booze sales, it makes it harder than ever to scratch a living in hospitality. We are only at the start of the Ozempic era. All the same, it has still been enough to force the once-mighty WeightWatchers into bankruptcy. They say this is a restructuring move and the future is still bright, and will include their own branded pills, but it is a sign of just how much the world will change. When these things are widely available in pill form, which is apparently imminent, the increase in uptake will be exponential. Parle is getting around the issue by including a range of smaller puddings, which permit a few indulgent bites without being such a calorific investment. There are little cuboid canelés (they're called kashi on the menu), flavoured with whisky and tea, priced at £3. 'I like that,' he says. 'You might as well, order one, right? With coffee?' Or you can order a small chocolate tart for £6 instead of the full-size £12 version. He is not alone. Restaurants around the country are coming up with similar solutions. After dinner at the Double Red Duke in the Cotswolds recently, I attempted to bat away the offer of pudding. (Before we get letters, I am not on Ozempic, I was just full.) How about a tiny cube of fudge, our waitress countered. Oh OK. Who could say no to a tiny bit of fudge? Their menu even has a separate section, 'something small & sweet', which at the time of writing features salted caramel chocolates and blackcurrant jellies, both at £4. Larger groups have had this approach for a while. The Brunning and Price pub group, which operates across the North West and north Wales, offers a selection of 'hot drink and mini puddings' with miniature versions of their classics. Vintage Inns does something similar. Patissiers are thinking small, too. At Naya, in Mayfair, co-founder Cengizhan Ayan says their new smaller range, including miniature croissants and eclairs, has been instant bestsellers. 'People are more health-conscious,' he says. 'But it also helps with visual display – you can lay out 20 rather than 10. And it looks better aesthetically to have two little eclairs with your tea or champagne rather than one large croissant.' In pastry displays, as with weight-loss jabs, smallness is a potent advertising tool.
