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CCTV evidence of drinker’s death missing
POLICE have admitted that crucial CCTV evidence showing the build up to the accidental death of a street-drinker from Maida Hill had been deleted.
Paul Taylor was found on the pavement in Claremont Road, Maida Hill, with a fractured neck and elbow on February 5.
When taken to St Mary’s Hospital for treatment, he claimed he had been set upon by a group of teenagers.
After more than two months at the Paddington hospital – which was revealed last month as having failed to meet crucial MRSA reduction targets – Mr Taylor died on April 22 after his elbow became fatally infected with the deadly superbug.
A post-mortem investigation by pathologist Dr Nathaniel Carey concluded Mr Taylor had “succumbed to infection to his elbow that followed his fall” and that “he would not have died had it not been for the alleged assault.”
He added: “Kicking or stamping could have caused the injury.”
At an inquest on Wednesday at Westminster Coroner’s Court in Horseferry Road, DI Peter Wallis from Brent CID said investigations had found evidence of gangs congregating in a disused print shop in the area.
He said: “Unfortunately, the CCTV has been self-deleted. We tried other shops in the area but no footage was recovered.
“We traced a 999 call from a woman who called for an ambulance who said there was a group of teenagers nearby, but she assumed they were helping him.”
Coroner Robert Prescott said: “Mr Taylor was a regular street-drinker who lived an unhappy lifestyle. He claimed to have suffered an assault and after being admitted to St Mary’s Hospital suffered complications.”
Verdict: Accidental death. |
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