Rashan Charles (pictured) died after being restrained by an officer
A family member broke down in tears and left the inquest into the death of Rashan Charles as CCTV was shown of his restraint by a police officer.
The 20-year-old died on July 22 last year after he was apprehended by police and at least one member of the public after running into a shop in in Dalston, east London.
The officers involved were granted anonymity despite coroner Mary Hassell rejecting claims there was a ‘direct threat to officers’ lives’.
The press and public was barred from seeing the jury, coroner and witnesses as an inquest in the death opened at St Pancras Coroner’s Court in north London today.
Ms Hassell explained to the jury that she had decided to place a large black curtain, held up by a metal rail extending from wall to wall of the small courtroom in the Grade II-listed building, ‘after some thought’.
She added the press and public, including people who knew Mr Charles who were not among the family members registered as interested persons, would be able to hear the proceedings.
‘The acoustics in this court are good – they will be able to hear everything,’ she said.
The court was shown CCTV from the convenience shop where Mr Charles was detained, showing him putting a package into his mouth moments before an officer, referred to only as BX47, rushed into the store and grabbed him from behind.
The officer attempted to restrain him against an ice cream freezer and Mr Charles’s arm appeared to slip from the restraint, before the pair fell to the floor in a struggle.
Several minutes later, a member of the public referred to only as Witness 1 was seen coming to the aid of the officer and places his knee on Mr Charles’s legs to keep him still before he was handcuffed.
Another officer, referred to only as BX48, also arrived at the scene a short time later and tried to give Mr Charles first aid, moving him onto his back before the first officer began chest compressions.
Paramedics arrive several minutes later and can be seen removing a package from Mr Charles’s mouth. Ms Hassell warned the jury of the ‘distressing’ nature of the video.
‘I appreciate how it will be for you and I’m sorry, but it is necessary,’ she said.
Floral tributes were left in Kingsland Road, Dalston, where Mr Charles ran into a convenience store and was apprehended by police
She also warned members of the jury not to research the case, which sparked violent protests in the area and threats made against police officers.
An initial investigation conducted by the watchdog now known as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that after he was detained, attempts were made to remove an object from Mr Charles’s mouth or throat.
It was later revealed that a package extracted from his body contained a mixture of caffeine and paracetamol.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) took no further action against one officer after considering a common assault charge following a referral from the IOPC.