Police 'unaware' of man's injury

An elderly man would never have been taken into custody by Norfolk Police had they known he had previously lost consciousness, an inquest heard.

Henry Purnell, 77, of Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, had drunk six pints of lager before he left a pub and fell on 2 February, the jury was told.

Paramedics said he was aggressive so called police, who arrested him.

Three hours later police took Mr Purnell to the James Paget Hospital, where he died two days later.

Ambulance crews earlier told the inquest at the town's magistrates' court they had not seen a report that Mr Purnell had been unconscious.

Norfolk Police told the inquest they too were not told of Mr Purnell's injuries.

Drunk and disorderly

Sgt Pat Jack was called to help take Mr Purnell into custody cells at Great Yarmouth police station.

The call came after ambulance workers said the patient, known as "Harry" to his friends, did not need hospital treatment.

Mr Purnell was later arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly so police could ensure he was kept safe and not left lying in the road.

Jury chairman Gary Adams asked Sgt Jack: "Had you at any point been told that Harry had been unconscious, and had you been told, would you have acted differently?"

Sgt Jack replied: "We were never told Harry was unconscious and had I been told I would have said 'take him straight to hospital'.

"I would never want anyone coming [into custody] to me who was unconscious."

The jury was also shown CCTV footage taken in the St Peter's Road area of Great Yarmouth where Mr Purnell was seen "staggering" on the pavement, as well as a later shot showing him laying on the ground.

The hearing continues.