Police warned after arrest man, 30, died

TWO police officers have been given written warnings after arresting a man they thought was drunk but who had just suffered an epileptic fit and later died.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th Aug 2010, 01:14 BST

Updated 4th Aug 2010, 01:14 BST

Sean Hardy, 30, was arrested at his home in Pinxton, Derbyshire, and taken to his local police station, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.

He had earlier called paramedics requesting help but they were unable to get into his flat and phoned for police back-up.

When two Pcs arrived, however, they thought Mr Hardy was drunk and arrested him for an outstanding offence.

By the time he went before two custody sergeants at Ripley police station, he could not stand and the senior officers demanded he be taken to hospital.

The two Pcs then drove to nearby Alfreton police station with Mr Hardy so he could be taken by other officers to hospital. But by the time they arrived he had stopped breathing and he died later in hospital.