Family members of Ian Tomlinson were left in tears after an inquest jury was shown harrowing new video of the newspaper seller dying at the G20 protests in London.
Widow Julia wept uncontrollably as fresh footage was screened of the 47-year-old's last moments after being shoved to the ground from behind by Pc Simon Harwood.
She told the jury his death had devastated her family, adding: "I remember feeling he was the best thing that ever happened to me."
Stepson Paul King said he "idolised" Mr Tomlinson.
CCTV images, police helicopter footage and hand-held video recordings showed Mr Tomlinson cutting a lonely figure as he staggered away from a police cordon after being hit with a baton on the fringes of the anti-summit demonstration in London in 2009.
The footage showed Mr Tomlinson, in his "distinctive" Millwall FC T-shirt, gesture to police and appearing angry after being sent tumbling to the ground.
One family member walked out on proceedings as a combination of CCTV and helicopter footage showed Mr Tomlinson walking unsteadily before he eventually collapsed flat out in Cornhill, near St Michael's Alley.
After receiving treatment, he was seen being carried through the police cordon. Mr Tomlinson was pronounced dead 40 minutes later on April 1.
Pc Harwood, a member of the Met's territorial support group, originally escaped prosecution but faces being sacked under misconduct proceedings.
The jury, sitting at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in Fleet Street, London, was told the Crown Prosecution Service could yet review its decision not to pursue charges against officers. The hearing continues.
Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario