Jury out over custody death

By [myoulden]

THE jury at an inquest into the death of a 51-year-old Devon woman has retired to consider its verdict.

Sally Ann Horman died in the cell at Exeter's Heavitree Road police station four years ago.

Ms Horman, an interior designer from Ottery St Mary, was described at the inquest as an alcoholic.

The jury was told she had been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving for the second time in 13 days and that she died from alcohol withdrawal symptoms while being held in custody.

She was initially not placed in one of the custody suite's six cells with video monitoring because it was "a busy Saturday night".

She was later transferred to a cell with video equipment and was checked every 30 minutes for two hours in her cell by detention officers. She was visited by a doctor during the night who administered medication to treat her withdrawal symptoms.

Detective Inspector Ken Lamont told the inquest that the incident had been regrettable but he stressed that death in police cells was rare in Devon.

For a full report on the verdict, see Monday's Echo.