Nasty British cop 'threatened dying pensioner, 74, with prosecution' and interviewed him under caution as he lay in intensive care

A 74-year-old man who lay dying in intensive care after a car accident was threatened with prosecution by a policeman, an inquest was told. PC Philip Reese was criticised by a coroner for carrying out an 'inappropriate interview' with the pensioner who was wearing an oxygen mask.

Patrick Harris from Cinferdord, Gloucestershire, died two days after the interview took place.

According to the deceased's family, the police officer was overheard going through a formal caution procedure before telling Mr Harris he could face prosecution for dangerous driving.

Mr Harris was being treated for injuries from a car crash in which his twin sister, Shirley Harris, was also involved. The former police mechanic was allegedly left in tears after his conversation with PC Reese, family spokesman, Robin Vick, told the inquest.

A patient in the bed next to the 74-year-old claimed she heard the police officer telling Mr Harris that his sister's life was hanging in the balance as she was being treated at a different hospital.

Mr Vick said sent a letter of complaint to Gloucestershire Police's chief constable to alert him to the way in which Mr Harris had allegedly been treated. The complaint was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission but was then handed back to be investigated by the force’s own internal disciplinary department.

It is understood the officer was ‘given advice’ but there was no further action.

In evidence, PC Reese claimed the reason for the bedside interview was his concern the pensioner would be discharged and be allowed to drive again. He said the conversation was carried out 'under caution' in order for a proper record to be kept of what was said.

Coroner David Dooley however asked: 'You had concerns that he might shortly be released and drive again? But what is the reality of a man with serious injuries including a broken arm and with a car which is written off driving again?'

The policeman said he had received permission from a nurse (who had asked a doctor) to conduct the interview, but could not remember either person's name and had no record of the conversation.

The officer denied that he threatened Mr Harris with prosecution for dangerous driving but admitted that he told the pensioner his sister was ‘very poorly’ in Frenchay Hospital.

When Mr Dooley probed: 'Did you tell Mr Harris that it was all his fault, as was said by the woman in the next bed?' the officer said he hadn't.

The family's representative, Mr Vick added: 'Did it not occur to you that Mr Harris was not in a fit state to be interviewed - he was wearing an oxygen mask and his arm was in traction' to which PC Reese responded by saying he had interviewed 'numerous' people in oxygen masks before.

A post mortem concluded that Mr Harris died as the result of a heart attack combined with his multiple injuries.

It was revealed the 74-year-old suffered a heart disease which had caused him to collapse in the months before the accident.

Cardiology consultant Professor George Hart told the inquest that the bedside interview conducted by PC Reese on June 21 last year could have contributed to his cardiac arrest.

'Severe stress can be linked to an increased risk of a heart attack and as Mr Harris was already in a precarious medical state the interview could be sufficient to be associated with his heart attack,' said the professor.

'But I must stress that this cannot be separated from his pre-existing poor medical condition and other factors and, in my view, it is more likely that he would have died in hospital anyway.'

Mr Harris suffered internal injuries, broken ribs and a fractured arm in the accident which is thought to have happened after he 'blacked out' and veered off the road.

Miss Harris was left with wrist and rib fractures, and has undergone six operations since the crash.

Mr Dooley concluded proceedings by saying: 'I don’t think conducting an interview under caution was appropriate and there is no record of permission being sought for the interview.'

'Nevertheless the stress of the interview is the same as the other contributing factors in this case, such as Mr Harris’ injuries and his serious heart condition, and cannot be blamed for his death.

'The appropriate conclusion therefore is that Mr Harris died from natural causes.'

Original report here

　

　

　

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