Watchdog to review police contact before man's death

The force received a phone call on February 2 expressing concerns about Jason Jones, 39, from Leeds. He had visited a family member and had been seen to have injuries but refused to go to hospital.

At 8.50pm on February 2 Mr Jones was detained and taken to hospital under arrest as he was wanted under two warrants for failing to answer to bail. Following treatment at hospital he was taken to Killingbeck Police Station.

On February 3 he was transferred to Leeds Bridewell before appearing in court. He was then remanded to Armley jail.

The next day he collapsed at the prison and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where he died on February 5.

The matter was referred to the complaints commission (IPCC) by West Yorkshire Police the following day and after an assessment a decision has now been taken to conduct an independent investigation.

In a separate development four members of the public have been arrested and questioned by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of Mr Jones's murder.

Last month the Yorkshire Post reported that police had spent some time building up a picture of Mr Jones's lifestyle and movements in the last fortnight of his life, when they think he was living in a flat in Lodge Lane, Beeston, Leeds.

A second post-mortem examination on his body revealed that he died of a serious brain injury.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: "My sympathies go out to Mr Jones's family and friends. At this stage it is clear he had sustained injuries prior to his arrest.

"A relative had seen Mr Jones and felt concerned enough about his condition to contact the police. Whether those injuries resulted in his death has yet to be determined.

"Mr Jones then spent a period of time in police custody prior to his transfer into the court and prison system.

"It is important we independently investigate that period in police custody to determine whether his treatment was appropriate and to ensure nothing happened which may have compounded or added to his existing injuries."