Police cell man fears permanent paralysis

7:10pm Thursday 4th September 2008

The family of a man found with a brain injury in a police cell fears he may be permanently paralysed.

Garry Reynolds ate solid food this week for the first time since he suffered a serious head wound six months ago.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation into how he was hurt and whether his arrest by police was connected to the injury is still under way.

Garry, 39, spent several weeks in a coma at Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath after he was found unconscious in March. He is now recovering at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham, but his family says he is making slow progress.

He is paralysed on his left side.

Garry’s brother Graeme said: “He is in agony most of the time. His leg is going into spasms and that is giving him so much pain.”

Mr Reynolds is still unable to sit up properly, and because of his paralysis was only able to eat his first meal on Monday. His brother said: “Eating was a big boost for him.

“He is very frustrated at the moment.

“He has come to the conclusion he doesn’t think he’s going to be able to walk again.”

Mr Reynolds, 39, a decorator from Southwick, had spent the evening of March 1 at The Rock pub, Rock Street, Kemp Town, Brighton.

He left at about midnight and was seen heading towards Chesham Road. It is believed Garry was in Eastern Road, between Arundel Road and Sussex Gardens, from about 12.30am to 2am.

It is thought he may have been seen wearing a long, dark coat and trying to stop passing cars.

The IPCC is investigating whether he had any contact with police in that time.

The next reported sighting was nearly two hours later when he got into a taxi in Eastern Road at 1.50am.

The taxi driver took him to West Street at about 2.35am and asked police for help.

Mr Reynolds was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police officer.

The IPCC is investigating evidence from witnesses who said they heard a “thud” during the arrest.

Mr Reynolds was taken to a police cell at Hollingbury, Brighton. At 11am on March 2 officers called an ambulance after finding him unconscious.

At first Sussex Police detectives were investigating the period before he was arrested, and the IPCC the time from the arrest onwards. After a judicial review by a High Court judge in May the IPCC took over the whole inquiry. A further judicial review is expected to take place on October 6.

A spokeswoman for the IPCC said: “The investigation is progressing well.”

Anyone who saw Mr Reynolds in the taxi or being arrested is asked to call the IPCC on 0800 0969071.

Editor's Choice