In memory of Mikey Powell who died in police custody in
Handsworth, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
on 7th September 2003
Countdown to Mikey's
5th Memorial
Prepared by Tippa Naphtali (Mikey's Cousin)
Case Timeline
Amended 26th May 2007
7th September 2003
Mikey dies in the custody of
West Midlands police.
This is what happened. Officers drove a police
car at Mikey, hitting him, beat him with batons, CS gassed him, restrained him and, knowing he was injured, and drove him to a police station not a hospital. At the police station the officers simply did not call for an ambulance for over 4 minutes. Mikey was dead by the time it arrived. On any body’s version something went very seriously wrong.
September 2003
Northamptonshire begin their investigation
Northamptonshire police begin their investigation in
September 2003, initially under the now disbanded PCA.
Supervision of the investigation was handed
over to the IPCC shortly after its launch in March 2004
21st September 2003
Victim 'aimed gun at police'
Reported in the Sunday Mercury on 21st September 2003.
A completely untrue allegation that was never founded.
The police denied that they were the source of this inaccurate leaked information.
15th November 2003
March from Lozells to Thornhill Road police station
Over 500 people joined the procession to Thornhill Road police station, followed by a rally at Handsworth Park .
January 2004
Six West Midlands Police officers suspended
Six West Midlands Police officers suspended following the death of a father-of-three who collapsed in custody after he was struck by a police car.
7th January 2005
Police escape manslaughter charges
Police officers connected to the death of Mikey Powell will not face manslaughter charges, the CPS revealed. Eight officers will be prosecuted for misconduct and
two for dangerous driving and assault.
Inquest – March 2004
The inquest, which began on 5th March 2004 , had been hampered because crucial pathologist’s reports had not been submitted. The inquest heard that only two
of the four pathologists were happy for their findings to be made public. Consequently the inquest was adjourned.
Two officers charged with dangerous driving
PCs Hadley and Lewis first appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 21st September 2004 to hear the charge of common assault. Their next appearance was on
11th January 2005 . The jury in the crown court trial were unable to reach a verdict on the dangerous driving charges.
February/March
Northamptonshire Police report completed
Files were sent to the CPS by Northamptonshire in late February/March 2004.
7th January 2005
CPS announce misconduct charges against 8 officers
Inspector Anthony James Guest, Police Constable Andrew Glenn Edwards, Police Constable Luke Anthony Gill, Police Constable Nigel Peter Hackett, Police
Constable Steven Michael Hollyman, Police Constable Lee Andrew Howard, Police Sergeant David Williams, Police Constable Christopher John Wilson.
PC Timothy Peter Lewis had been charged in 2004 with dangerous driving and PC David Neil Hadley with aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring dangerous driving.
22nd February 2005
Application to move trial
The trial was moved to Leicester Crown Court after lawyers for the officers successfully argued they would not get a fair trial in Birmingham .
11th July 2005 – Directions Hearing at Birmingham
16th December 2005 – Appeal to dismiss denied
The 10 West Midlands police officers facing trial in relation to Mikey’s case lodged dismissal proceedings early in 2005. On 16th December 2005 , the trial Judge
at Birmingham Crown Court ruled that the dismissal requests would be denied.
27th March 2006 – Preliminary Hearing Leicester
Courtenay Griffiths QC lead the prosecution counsel.
8th May 2006 - Trail commences
10 West Midlands police officers face trial at Leicester Crown Court with Judge Sir Douglas Brown residing.
28th June 2006 – Four officers cleared
2nd August 2006 – Six officers cleared
30th March 2007
IPCC decision not to discipline officers
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed that none of the West Midlands police officers acquitted of criminal offences following the death of Michael Powell, 38, in police custody on 7th September 2003 are to face disciplinary charges.
3rd April 2007
Powell family response to IPCC decision
Through the family’s solicitor, they are now considering what other legal channels to pursue in challenge of this decision, amongst which may be the seeking a judicial review. The IPCC decision, like so many of its decisions demonstrates their refusal to proceed with any disciplinary action at all when people die in police custody.
Campaign Briefing
The Friends of Mikey Powell Campaign
for Justice was established by the
family of Michael Lloyd Powell (known
as Mikey), following his death whilst
in Police custody.
Mikey was 38 years old and a father
of three young children. He had never
been in trouble with the authorities
and was well known and respected within his community. He would, (although this was on extremely
rare occasions), be prone to bouts
of depression; and on the night
in question one of these
episodes occurred.
Mikey died on 7th September 2003, in police custody in Handsworth, Birmingham. He had been arrested outside his mother's house in
the Lozells area of the city.
The Mikey Powell Campaign is supported by 4WardEver and the
Sign-up for
4WardEver
Newsmail
Service
background audio
On | Off
in memory of
Gilly Mundy
