Officers face ‘criminal investigation’ over death of Oldham man

Armed police attended Monday's incident on Faulkner Street

They are part of ten constables who attended the scene after reports of a domestic incident at around 11.30pm on Friday 6th July in Seventh Avenue, Lime Side.

Officers arrested 30-year old Andre Moura, who had been sprayed with CS gas, and he was taken to Ashton Police Station where he was found unresponsive upon arrival. An ambulance was called and Mr Moura was taken to Tameside Hospital where it was confirmed that he died at around 1.30am on Saturday 7th July.

A post mortem examination proved inconclusive and the Independent Office for Police Conduct say they are waiting the outcome of further tests, including a toxicology report, to help determine how Mr Moura died.

The ten police officers, all who are Constables, have been informed with three of them facing criminal investigation and the other seven told that there is an early indication that their behaviour could amount to gross misconduct.

Since the start of the investigation, the Independent Office for Police Conduct have recovered and looked at CCTV, police officer body-worn video and mobile phone footage of the incident.

They’ve also conducted house to house enquiries and taken statements from independent witnesses to what happened.

IOPC Regional Director, Amanda Rowe, said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Moura’s family and friends and everyone affected by this sad incident. We continue to keep his family informed of the progress of our investigation.”

“This is a very serious and complex case involving a large number of officers which requires a thorough and rigorous independent investigation. However, informing the officers that they are subject to a criminal or misconduct investigation does not indicate guilt, or mean that proceedings will necessarily follow. We intend to interview all ten officers as soon as possible.”