Police 'secretive' before man's death - inquest

The family of a man who died days after being arrested said they felt police were "secretive" when they asked for information on his whereabouts.

Noel Porter, from Woodbridge, in Suffolk, was arrested on November 19 after being pulled over and breathalysed on the A134 between Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds.

The 25-year-old was held in custody before appearing at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on 21 November, where he admitted to drink-driving. The next evening he was found dead.

In a statement read to 10 jurors on the first day of an inquest at Suffolk Coroner's Court, his mum Pamela Porter, said his family were concerned for his mental health but felt police were reluctant to give her any details.

Despite repeatedly calling the police station, his family said they were never told why he was there, what was happening or that he was due to appear in court.

Pamela said she "would have been down there like a shot" had she known Noel had been charged and had to go to court.

She added that the family felt "like police were being secretive and we were making a nuisance of ourselves".

"The officer on the phone told us Noel was safe but did not give us more information – I told them I was concerned and he did not have good mental health," she said.

Police bodycam footage played to the jury showed Noel as calm and compliant with the arresting officer who described him as being "good as gold".

In the clip he could be heard telling him that he had been on a second date with a girl and had been drinking but did not expect to be over the limit.

He also spoke about having suicidal feelings, to which the officer replied: "Although I've arrested you for drink-driving, we do care about your welfare as well," adding on arrival at the police station: "In here, all they care about is making sure you're okay."

The inquest heard one officer also spoke with him about his feelings and shared that he had similar experiences, which Noel said he appreciated.

Noel, who was a welder, appeared in court two days later, had his driving licence suspended and was fined £500.

The inquest heard that officers had decided to keep him in custody until his court appearance, over concerns he might harm himself beforehand.

In their statement, Noel's family said there had been a "shift in his mental health since Covid and lockdown" and that he "was particularly unwell in the six months before his death".

They described him as a hard-working man who never took time off work and 'hated letting people down.'

The inquest, which is expected to take place over the next two weeks, continues.

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.