Inquest told Shropshire man died as he was being restrained

A 38-year-old man died in a Shropshire street as he was being restrained by two police officers moments after they arrested him, an inquest heard.

Jason Pearce, of Regent Drive, St Georges, Telford, died after being restrained on the pavement in Sambrook Crescent, Market Drayton, on June 5 last year. At his inquest in Wem yesterday , jurors heard attempts to revive Mr Pearce failed.

Residents told the inquest one of the arresting officers, Constable Lynda Downes, was crying when it became clear Mr Pearce had died.

Jurors were told Constable Downes was joined by Constable James Walters and the two officers arrested Mr Pearce after reports of a disturbance in the street.

Neighbours called police after Mr Pearce was reported to be "marching" around the estate shouting and screaming making claims that somebody wanted to kill him and requesting police assistance.

They told the jury Mr Pearce had run over the top of one resident's car and seemed "agitated" but never physically struck anyone.

Witness Rachael Jennings said: "It seemed to me as if he was on drink or drugs."

Another witness, Anna Holland, said she was driving along the A53 when Mr Pearce ran across the road waving his arms above his head.

Toxicology reports read to the jury showed Mr Pearce had amphetamine, mephedrone, also known as meow-meow, and two other related drugs in his body at the time of his death.

Jurors heard Mr Pearce had travelled by car from Telford to Market Drayton with friend Adrian Salt but on their arrival Mr Pearce ran off.

Giving evidence, Mr Salt said he saw Mr Pearce snort a quantity of white powder, believed to be illegal meow-meow, earlier that day.

A statement read to the court from another friend, Antony Avey, suggested Mr Pearce had begun using a new drug similar to mephedrone called NRG1 shortly before he died. The statement added that "Jason Pearce was in a bad mess with that stuff".

The inquest continues.

By Tom Johannsen