An investigation has been initiated regarding the passing of a bodybuilder who had a confrontation with law enforcement personnel.
Craig Clegg, aged 49, was apprehended by officers from Merseyside Police after receiving reports expressing concern for his well-being. Details revealed during a preliminary review last May indicated that Mr. Clegg was visibly distressed, moving from house to house, prompting the arrival of police following multiple emergency calls from alarmed individuals in the vicinity.
Law enforcement officers reached his residence in Lydiate, Sefton, around 10:45 pm on September 16, 2024. At that time, the senior coroner for Sefton St Helens and Knowsley, Julie Goulding, explained that after a brief altercation, Mr. Clegg was taken into custody.
Referring to a Home Office post-mortem examination conducted previously, Ms. Goulding stated, “Following the examination of body-worn camera footage, a short scuffle occurred between the officers and Mr. Clegg,” who passed away later that evening.
At a session held at Bootle Town Hall today, an inquest into the death was opened. Discussions are ongoing regarding the scheduling of a full inquest, with current coroner Elizabeth Wheeler adjourning the matter to a future unspecified date.
This development followed Ms. Goulding’s observation that there was no evidence of undue force by the police, such as kneeling on Mr. Clegg or applying a headlock, with police restraint not determined to be a significant factor in his demise, according to the post-mortem report.
She further elaborated, stating, “The evidence demonstrates that police officers collaborated to administer CPR until the arrival of paramedics.” Mr. Clegg was transported from the scene in Lydiate to Aintree University Hospital, where he was declared deceased, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
A report on the incident concluded that Mr. Clegg’s death was a result of complications related to cocaine toxicity. Ms. Wheeler categorized the death as unnatural, necessitating the convening of an inquest.
Following Mr. Clegg’s demise, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) commenced an inquiry due to his interaction with officers shortly before his passing.
The IOPC informed the ECHO in January last year that it had finalized its investigation into Merseyside Police’s involvement in the incident. Ms. Goulding mentioned during the preliminary review last year that there were no findings or recommendations for improvement outlined in the investigator’s report.
When requested to provide a statement regarding the investigation’s conclusion at the beginning of last year, the IOPC declined, citing an intention to release findings following the completion of the inquest into Mr. Clegg’s death.
In a statement, his family expressed, “Craig’s family is seeking a thorough investigation and hopes that all involved parties, including Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service, are willing to fully examine the response to the medical emergency experienced by Craig on the day of his passing.”
Mr. Clegg was previously recognized for winning the over-45s North West bodybuilding competition and regularly participated in amateur bodybuilding contests.