Nurse denies manslaughter in custody death case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

A custody nurse denies gross negligence manslaughter after a man died in a police cell from a drug and alcohol-induced heart attack.

Sean Cregg, 37, a custody nurse, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of gross negligence manslaughter in the death of William Cameron, 38. Cameron collapsed and fell unconscious whilst being arrested in Reading town centre on 7 January 2020 and died in a cell at Loddon Valley police station from a heart attack caused by a mix of alcohol, methadone and other drugs. Cregg denies the charge.

When questioned, Cregg told the jury he had examined Cameron in his cell and found he was breathing, reacted to light, had a strong pulse and good colour. He said he believed Cameron was 'obstructive' and that police had told him Cameron was a drinker who had been 'walking and talking normally until he suddenly wasn't'. The jury also saw CCTV footage of Cameron lying face down on a mat surrounded by police officers as Cregg assessed him.

When asked if his examination had been sufficient, Cregg said: 'At that time, I truly believed he was OK. In hindsight, I wish I had done more.' However, prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC asserted that Cregg had come to the conclusion Cameron was being obstructive early on, before carrying out full tests. Ms Johnson suggested that as a healthcare professional, having different clinical assessments for patients in custody versus hospital was 'extremely dangerous'.

The jury can also consider an alternative verdict on a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

How it is being reported

• Death in custody manslaughter accused tells jurors ‘I wish I had done more’Custody nurse Sean Cregg denies gross negligence manslaughter as Old Bailey trial hears he thought detainee William Cameron was faking illness in police custody.Reading Chronicle · 20 Oct, 16:58
• Nurse thought detainee was 'obstructive' before deathSean Cregg denies a charge of gross negligence manslaughter in the case of William Cameron's death.BBC Berkshire · 20 Oct, 16:23

In this story: Sean Cregg · William Cameron · Loddon Valley police station · Reading · Old Bailey · Zoe Johnson

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem