Lanarkshire dad died in police custody after being arrested at his own 21st birthday party

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Lanarkshire man who died in police custody hid a bag of cocaine in his mouth when he was arrested at his 21st birthday party.

Officers only discovered the plastic bag containing the drugs two hours after he arrived at Motherwell police station and after James MacGregor appeared to have consumed cocktail of drink and drugs at the do in his Hamilton home.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry heard James had been searched by cops and his hands cuffed behind his back when he was taken into custody.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Two PCs were supposed to monitor the father-of-one as he waited in a holding area they busy station, but they didn’t notice him retrieving the bag from elsewhere on his body and placing it in his mouth.CCTV later showed that despite being handcuffed, MacGregor managed to reach both hands to his trouser pocket area and near his sock, while one PC could be seen scrolling through his phone and the other’s attention elsewhere.One of the officers said the prisoner appeared drunk and drowsy, but did not think he needed urgent medical attention and seemed to be no different from the many people under the influence he had arrested.He told the inquiry at Hamilton Sheriff Court that custody sergeants often sent persons to hospital when in his view it was overly cautious.