"I broke my leg in police custody - now I may lose it" - investigation underway

AN investigation is under way after a man suffered a broken leg when he was taken into custody by police.

John Ford, 38, now faces the possibility of amputation after an operation to repair three broken bones was unsuccessful.

He was taken to Bearlands Police Station, in Gloucester, in November after being ejected from The Regal pub in St Aldate Street, when staff suspected he had been smoking inside.

He had tried to get back into the pub and admits he was verbally abusive.

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A police van arrived and Mr Ford was handcuffed and driven away.

He claimed he heard his leg crack while he was being restrained in a cell following angry verbal exchanges.

"That is when I heard a bone snap and started screaming in pain," he said.

Mr Ford, from Cooper's Edge, was taken by ambulance to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where he spent the next 10 days.

Doctors confirmed he had broken his tibula, fibula and ankle.

When doctors could not manipulate his leg back in place, he had a metal plate, screws and rod inserted. But the surgery was not successful.

If a second operation fails in a few weeks' time, he said doctors have told him they may have to amputate the limb.

His mother, Susan, was shocked at her son's injuries.

"I spoke with the nurses and they said it was one of the worst breaks they had seen," she said.

A police spokesman said: "An incident in which a man suffered an injury at our custody suite in Gloucester in November was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission at the time and has now been referred back to us for an internal investigation.

"Our professional standards department is currently carrying out that investigation and while it is ongoing, it would be it would be inappropriate to comment further."

He added that Mr Ford was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to comply with directions to leave an area.

"The case is ongoing and within the next few days the man is due to be reported for summons to court," he said.

The IPCC confirmed it had referred the investigation back to the force.

Eddie Gershon, spokesman for the Wetherspoons-run Regal pub, said: "The gentleman was seen smoking in the pub and was asked to leave by doormen.

"Two doormen escorted him out of the pub and stood behind him, without touching him, as he left the pub.

"The only time they touched him was when one of the doormen held him as he missed his step and was about to fall onto the floor. When the doormen were outside with the man, the police then took charge of the incident."