A 33-stone suspected drug dealer tried to eat a bag of cocaine as police raided his flat, according to the findings of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI).
It also concluded “there were no reasonable precautions” to avoid his death.
In a written judgment, Sheriff Fiona Tait stated Stuart Sandeman died due to cardiac dysrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), cardiac enlargement and adverse effects of cocaine, physical restraint and obesity.
However, Sheriff Tait alluded to “other facts” relevant to his death, which stated she felt medical assistance should have been summoned “as soon as it was realised” Sandeman had swallowed a package, “suspected” to be cocaine.
Sandeman, 37, died during a drug raid on his flat at Struan Road, Perth, on May 6 2011. During the inquiry held at Perth Sheriff Court, it was stated that 33-stone Sandeman had been seen putting a bag of white powder in his mouth and chewing it.
The court had heard how Sandeman, known as ‘Big Sandy,’ struggled with officers with one sitting on top of him to stop him from kicking out. Police had to link three pairs of handcuffs together due to Sandeman’s size.
Forensic pathologist Dr James Grieve had said Sandeman had a body mass index of 62, and thus carried a risk of death.
Drug user Roddy Moncrieffe, who was in the flat at the time along with another drug user, and had told the inquiry that Sandeman “spewed” something “meaty” and claimed officers stuck their fingers in his mouth.
However, Detective Sergeant Rob Prudom, 42, had told the inquiry that Sandeman told officers he was eating a bacon roll at the time police thought he had swallowed cocaine.
Sheriff Tait dismissed the evidence of Mr Moncrieffe, stressing police intelligence and evidence led her to “infer” a history of “chronic cocaine abuse” prior to Sandeman’s death.
“This would predispose him to cardiac enlargement,” her findings said.
“I am content that there were no reasonable precautions that could have been taken whereby Sandeman’s death may have been avoided nor any defects in any systems of working which contributed to his death. The officers’ response was reasonable and proportionate.”
DS Prudom had said police raided Sandeman’s home after information that he was selling cocaine from his flat. Sandeman had been convicted of dealing cocaine at T in the Park in 2001.
The inquiry had also heard from PC Dale Evans, 33, who arrived at the property with drugs officers in full riot gear. He had described how Sandeman’s breathing was “shallow” and how he applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
“We were trying to get him to spit out something he had put in his mouth, but Sandeman was laughing and writhing around,” he said.
PC Evans said he noticed Sandeman’s breathing was shallow and felt this was caused by an obstruction in his mouth.
He had administered CPR. The inquiry had heard ambulance crew took over but Sandeman died shortly after.