Teesside Live reports that Jordan Everington died from cocaine toxicity after he was found in overgrown grass behind Staintondale Avenue in Redcar in the early hours of Saturday, November 8. He had been released from Holme House Prison on October 30, and a report published this week by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman set out that timeline.
The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene at 3.03am. Paul Appleton, the area coroner for Hartlepool and Teesside, heard at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Tuesday, June 16, that officers had searched the field after a resident reported hearing moaning coming from the field.
Middlesbrough Town Hall in
Appleton heard that Cleveland Police were already looking for Jordan five days before his death, after issuing an appeal for help. Around 1.45am, officers responding to reports of an attempted break-in in Dormanstown were shown CCTV and began an area search for a suspect before being requested to attend Staintondale Avenue in Redcar.
From there, the search moved into the field itself. A drone was requested, a heat source was identified 10 to 15m into the grass, and an officer could see a male laid on the floor, face down.
Thomas Sewell and CPR
Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Sewell said officers acted after reports of a burglary from a member of the public. He said a single handcuff was applied once Jordan was located, then officers quickly became aware of his condition and began CPR while an ambulance was called.
“Firstly, we would like to offer our condolences to the family and friends of Jordan Everington. We appreciate how difficult coroners’ inquests can be, as they require families to revisit the events that led to the loss of a loved one,” Sewell said after the inquest. He also said: “Officers acted quickly and appropriately during the incident, and the family have recognised their attempts to save Jordan’s life. We will continue to engage with the family and respond to any concerns they may raise with us.”
Nigel Cooper and the handcuff
Home Office pathologist Nigel Cooper gave the proposed medical cause of death as cocaine toxicity. The inquest heard that cannabis was also found in Jordan’s system, and that he had a large number of skin injuries including bruises, scratches and marks, which Cooper said were consistent with confused intoxicated behaviour.
The handcuff became a point of dispute. Jordan Everington’s family told the inquest, “They have cuffed someone who is half dead on the floor,” and, “It wasn't necessary to put that cuff on him.” Sewell said a single handcuff was applied once he was located, and the coroner heard there was no evidence to suggest it was wrong to place the handcuff and that it was not within the scope of the inquest.
What Jordan Everington did between his release from Holme House Prison on October 30 and the moment he was found in the field is not explained in the evidence heard so far.
