Coroner: no police link to man’s death

A CORONER has ruled the way police treated a man who died just over a month after being arrested did not contribute to his death.

Christopher Gerard Anthony Tolan (54), from Hawksley Street, Hollinwood, was found dead in the front room of his mother’s house in Hollinwood on March 1.

An inquest yesterday heard how Mr Tolan, who had problems with alcohol and mental health issues, was arrested for assaulting a police officer on January 26 following a disturbance at his mother’s home.

Cecilia Glennon, his sister, said she was not at the scene during the arrest but believed he had suffered two cuts to his head while being led out of the house by police.

But coroner Simon Nelson read a medical report that showed he had been treated for a forehead wound while being loaded into the police van.

Sean Tolan (47), from Grange Court, Oldham, said when he saw his brother about three days before his death, he was drinking and appeared yellow.

Mr Tolan claimed his brother told him the injuries he received had been sustained in police custody.

Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Naomi Carter said there was no evidence of a head injury that could have been significant in Christopher Tolan’s death, but he did have severe furring of the arteries which can restrict blood flow to the heart.

Toxicological analysis revealed Mr Tolan was three and three quarters over the 80 miligram drink-drive limit at the time of is death, and had also taken diazepam.

Cause of death was given as toxicity from a combination of alcohol and diazepam with a contributory factor being coronary artery atheroma.

During Dr Carter’s evidence, Sean Tolan made allegations about police involvement in his brother’s death and left the court room voluntarily.

Det Inspector David James Massey, of Oldham Police, told the inquest he did not believe events on January 26 were a factor in Mr Tolan’s death.

Mr Nelson gave a verdict of misadventure, saying “I believe Mr Tolan voluntarily consumed the alcohol not knowing the consequences that would arise.”