IPCC launches custody death probe

The death of a man in custody who had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly is being investigated by the police watchdog.

The 34-year-old man was arrested by Northumbria Police and taken to a police station in South Tyneside.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said he was booked into custody at 8.25pm on Friday night and was subject to 15 minutes of checks.

At 10.06pm the man was found in his cell not breathing. An ambulance was called but he was pronounced dead at South Tyneside General Hospital at 11.44pm.

IPCC commissioner Nicholas Long said: "Any death in custody is a very serious matter and we will independently investigate to establish exactly what has happened in this case."