A long-delayed inquest into the death of a mentally ill black musician in police custody began on Monday after a long battle for justice by his family.
Sean Rigg, who had a history of mental illness, died after being taken ill at Brixton police station in south London on August 21 2008.
Mr Rigg, who had been formally diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia, had a history of stopping his medication.
On several occasions he had been detained by the police under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
Before his arrest on August 21 he had again stopped taking his medication and his behaviour was giving cause for concern.
Staff at the hostel in which he lived called 999 on several occasions but police did not attend.
Mr Rigg left the hostel and was later arrested in Balham after a member of the public called the police.
He was restrained and taken to Brixton police station and died soon after in disputed circumstances.
An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been heavily criticised by Mr Rigg's family and campaigners, as has the Metropolitan Police's handling of the case and their treatment of the family.
Mr Rigg's family said: "We have been battling for nearly four years to find out the truth of what happened to our brother that night.
"Sean was doing great things in his life and it was devastating his life was cut short in this way.
"Sean should have been safe in the care of the police and the mental health services.
"We believe his death was wholly avoidable and welcome the chance for the evidence to be finally aired publicly and properly scrutinised."
Campaign group Inquest co-director Deborah Coles, who is supporting the Rigg family, said: "Inquest has significant concerns about how vulnerable people with mental health issues are treated by the police.
"This is a deeply disturbing death and it is vital both for the family and the public that there is a rigorous, far-reaching investigation into the treatment of a vulnerable black man in need of care and protection.
"Sean Rigg's family have endured a painfully long wait for this inquest and an unacceptable and ongoing battle for funding."
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