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"The CPS decision not to prosecute the police officers or anyone else
involved in the death of Paul Coker only confirms our lack of confidence in
the criminal justice system combined with the feeling of a deep sense of
Paul was born on 9 July 1973 at St Nicholas Hospital in Plumstead. He was
the treasure and joy of our family. He grew to be a handsome, intelligent,
On 6 August 2005 16 police officers were called to his girlfriend¹s home
where he was arrested. Less than two hours later he had died alone in a cell
at Plumstead Police Station. He was 32 years old.
Paul¹s death was preventable, when the police arrived he was a medical
emergency. This was obvious. He should have been taken directly to hospital
rather than to the police station. Had this happened his life may well have
The CPS decision not to prosecute anyone in respect of Paul¹s death is a
decision that will not be accepted by the family. We are now taking legal
advice as to our options and the steps we should take next.
There will be an inquest when a jury will decide how Paul died and why. At
this inquest we, as a family, will do everything to ensure that the truth
emerges and that those involved with Paul¹s death account for what they did.
In the meantime, the CPS decision not to prosecute anyone is another example
of the failure to properly hold to account those who may have been
responsible for a death in custody. This is not justice. Without struggle
there will be no justice. Our family has now become part of that struggle.
In the words of one of Paul¹s poems, "Time is the master"
IPCC to independently investigate Plumstead death in custody
(9th August 2005)
Death in custody reignites anger
(18th August 2005)
Yet another black man dies in police custody
(19th August 2005)
Award-winner to tell story of police death
(24th August 2005)
Why did Paul Coker die in custody
Bishop shares pain of deaths in custody
(12th May 2006)
I want Justice for my dead son
(11th August 2006)
Custody death ruling a 'betrayal' (NEW)
15th November 2007
Justice4Paul
campaign mailings
About Paul...
Aged - thirty two
Hometown - London
Killed - 6th August 2005
Facts:
Since 1969, ‘there have been over 1,000 deaths in custody. A high percentage of these deaths have been young black men from inner city areas.
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