Police officer in prison for attacking members of the public found dead | police

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A former police officer imprisoned after he was caught on camera assaulting members of the public has been found dead.

Declan Jones was reported to have been discovered at an address in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on Tuesday. He is believed to have recently been released from prison, having been jailed for assaulting two people – including a 15-year-old boy – on consecutive days during England’s first coronavirus lockdown.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: ‘On December 28, officers were called to an address in Bromsgrove following reports of concern for the well-being of a man in his 30s. Unfortunately, the man was pronounced dead around 12.45pm. Any third party involvement in the death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”

A spokesperson for the Independent Office of Police Conduct said: “We have learned of the death of a former West Midlands police officer, and we are with all those affected at this very difficult time. As such, it would be inappropriate to say anything else at this point.”

Jones was fired from West Midlands Police in September after being found guilty at trial over the events in Birmingham.

In the first incident, Jones rode, punched, and peppered a man in Aston on April 20, 2020, then kicked and punched a boy who was wrongly accused of drug possession in Newtown the next day.

His actions led to a six-month prison sentence, and prompted Chief Constable Sir David Thompson to apologize to both victims.

“What we have here in this case is not an isolated incident,” District Judge Shamim Qureshi said when delivering a ruling in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

“It was a difficult situation for the whole country, and it was the first lockdown that this country had ever seen. The streets were well deserted… There weren’t many people around to witness what was happening. I will fail in my public duty by suspending your sentence.”

Jones was due to stand trial next year on charges of causing actual bodily harm during an incident involving the stun gun.

In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted at 116123 or by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. The Mental Health Charity can be contacted on 0300123 3393 or by visiting mind.org.uk. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Line is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, Lifeline Crisis Support is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org

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