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Police vow to make changes following drug death inquest

Tue, 06 Dec 2016

The Isle of Man Constabulary says it will follow the Coroner of Inquests recommendations following a hearing into the death of a Pulrose man suspected of smuggling drugs.

27-year-old Steven Corkill died in Noble's Hospital last June, four days after being arrested at the Sea Terminal on suspicion of importing drugs - he was found to have a lethal amount of cocaine in his blood.

A jury inquest, which got underway last month, found his death to be an accident, but added gross failures by the police contributed.

The court heard Mr Corkill ingested drugs that had been concealed in his body on his third day in hospital, but that officers didn't spot him doing it.

Coroner John Needham made multiple recommendations including strip searches for those accused of drug smuggling and limiting electronic device use for those on duty at the hospital.

The constabulary says it will act upon the suggestions at the earliest opportunity and that changes to the management of detainees suspected of concealing drugs internally have already been made.

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