Referral made to Crown Prosecution Service after homeless man dies

4 Sep 2017 03:22 PM

The IPCC has made a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charges of gross negligence manslaughter against two Metropolitan Police Service employees after a homeless man who was ejected from a police station reception, subsequently died.

Pericles Malagardis, a 63 year old Greek national who was sleeping rough at Heathrow Airport, attended Uxbridge Police Station on 4 March 2016 to collect his dog, which had been placed in kennels while he was in hospital the previous day.

Mr Malagardis was present at the station until 12.40am, 5 March when he was asked to leave, and then removed by staff. He remained outside the station throughout the night. When a check on his well-being was made at about 5.30am he was unresponsive and the London Ambulance Service was called.

Mr Malagardis was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6.45am.

The IPCC conducted an investigation into the decision to eject the man, the level of care provided by staff having ejected him and the care provided once staff found him unresponsive.

IPCC Associate Commissioner Tom Milsom said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Malagardis’ family and friends and everyone affected by his death. We will now await a CPS decision on the matter.

“Our report on the investigation, including our findings as to whether or not the officers should face misconduct proceedings, has also been provided to the Metropolitan Police Service and we await its response.”

A referral to the CPS is made when the IPCC investigation indicates a criminal offence may have been committed. It does not mean criminal charges will necessarily follow. The CPS will decide whether charges should be brought.