A Birmingham man who died in police custody should not have been taken to a police station in a van, police conceded before an inquest jury.

Father-of-three Michael Powell was restrained by several officers after smashing windows at his mother’s home in Wilton Street, Lozells, and attacking a police car.

He was conscious at the time he was bundled into a police van and taken to the cells at Thornhill Road police station.

But on his arrival officers became increasingly concerned that he had no pulse, had saliva foaming from his mouth and his body was limp.

He was rushed to the A&E department at City Hospital where, despite the best efforts of doctors, he was pronounced dead minutes after his arrival.

In summing up all the evidence heard at the inquest into Mr Powell’s sudden death, assistant deputy coroner Stephen Campbell referred to an earlier statement from Inspector Anthony Guest.

Insp Guest, who has since retired from the force, had told the inquest jury how detaining Mr Powell in a police van, following the disturbance in September 2003, was the ‘last thing he wanted to do’.

He had said: “Sergeant (Christopher) Wilson took the decision to call the van. An ambulance would not be used for a violent man.

“The last thing I wanted to do was put someone on the floor in the van but it was the only alternative.”

Mr Campbell also highlighted evidence given by Sgt Wilson earlier in the hearing which supported Insp Guest’s admission.

Sgt Wilson had previously said: “The van was far from ideal but one of the best options available. It’s difficult to get a person in handcuffs into a Peugeot police car.”

The inquest jury were also reminded how Sgt Wilson had failed to pass on his concerns about Mr Powell’s worsening physical condition to Insp Guest.

“It was my opinion that he should be taken to hospital and from there to the police station. I did not tell Insp Guest that.

“The reason I did not give my view to the inspector was not because he was of a higher rank.”

Mr Campbell is today expected to complete his summation of evidence for the jury to consider.

The inquest continues