Natural causes for custody death

Mr Jones had been to Wrexham Maelor hospital four times

A verdict of death by natural causes has been returned by an inquest jury on a Wrexham man who died after falling unconscious in police custody.

John Jones, 45, from Chirk, visited Wrexham Maelor Hospital four times on 17 December, 2006, but doctors found nothing wrong.

He was taken into custody after falling outside the hospital and refusing to walk, the inquest in Flint heard.

But the following morning he was found unconscious after suffering a stroke.

Suffered stroke

The inquest heard Mr Jones had a history of depression.

On 17 December last year he visited Wrexham Maelor's Accident and Emergency department, complaining of having difficulty walking, and feeling unwell.

It was suggested his problems were "behavioural" and an appointment was made for him to see a psychiatrist the following day.

After falling outside the hospital, he was taken into North Wales Police custody, and a police surgeon deemed him fit to be detained.

The following morning he was found collapsed and an ambulance took him back to hospital, where it was discovered he had suffered a stroke.

He died four days later on 21 December.

Hospital consultant Dr Fiona Rae, who examined Mr Jones, said she was "utterly convinced" he had no physical symptoms that suggested a stroke or anything else, but she accepted with hindsight she could have been wrong.

North East Wales coroner John Hughes said the circumstances of Mr Jones's death had caused his family great anguish.

He suggested that if they had any further concerns they should take them up with the police or the hospital authorities.