Family say Cleveland Police ‘failed’ missing dad-of-four after his body was found in woods near A19
The family of a ‘happy-go-lucky’ Teesside dad who would “do anything for anyone” have accused Cleveland Police of ‘failing in its duty of care’ after he was found dead in woodland near the A19[1].
Mark Harris, who was from Hardwick[2], was found dead on August 18, 2020, on Low Lane, Thornaby[3], four weeks after he was last seen by friends or family. The 49-year-old had been reported missing by his sister the same day his body was discovered.
An inquest, which resumed at Teesside Coroner’s Court on Monday, heard about the days leading up to his disappearance and subsequent death. During the hearing, senior coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool[4], Clare Bailey, heard evidence from Mr Harris’ daughter and sister, as well as officers from Cleveland Police[5].
A number of family members were present in the Middlesbrough[7] court, where Ms Bailey outlined her considerations, including whether it was possible to determine how and when Mr Harris died, and whether the correct procedures were followed by police.
The court heard that a post-mortem performed by Dr Mohua Batterchargi on August 20, 2020, determined no significant toxicology findings. The cause of death was ruled as ‘unascertained’ due to decomposition.
Dr Mark Howlett took the witness stand where he confirmed that Mr Harris’ body had been identified by dental records. He said that the Hardwick[8] dad was found with eight upper teeth missing and that they appeared to have been lost in the two weeks leading up to his death.
Family members suggested that the last time they had seen the father-of-four, he had no noticeable missing teeth.
‘I was always daddy’s girl’
Mr Harris’ daughter, Chloe Louise Harris, stated that her dad “loved us all very much” and was a “funny and caring person”. “We were two peas in a pod,” she said in a statement. “He was everything to me. I was always daddy’s girl from being born.”
The 24-year-old said he dad’s last known whereabouts was at her aunty Sharon’s home on July 24, 2020. She stated that he was going to take his daughter – Ms Harris’ half sister – home.
She claimed that her dad had been picked up by a police officer and “dropped off at Anson Farm” pub on Teesside Industrial Estate after being found “walking along the A19”. In her statement, Ms Harris stated that her dad had been “found dead in woodland close to where a police officer dropped him off”.
Ms Harris told the court that she believes Cleveland Police “failed their duty of care” as Mr Harris was a “known alcoholic”. She also stated that Cleveland Police had her aunty’s address registered for Mr Harris as he was “technically homeless”.
She also questioned why officers “thought Anson Farm pub was a place of safety for an alcoholic”. However, the officer who collected Mr Harris denied taking him to the pub, and stated he dropped him at the Industrial Estate due to him “hitchhiking to Norfolk”.
The mum added: “It’s distressing not knowing how my dad died.”
Mark Harris (Image: UGC Chloe Harris)
Mr Harris’ sister, Sharon Edwards, described her brother as “happy go lucky”. She added that he was an alcoholic and suffered with his mental health.
The inquest heard that she last saw her brother on July 24, 2020, and he was due to see her again two days later. However, he didn’t arrive.
Ms Edwards stated that it was not unusual as sometimes she would not see or hear from him for long periods of time. She then tried to call his phone and found that he had pawned his phone, as a store worker answered the call.
In her statement, Ms Edwards recalled that her brother had been found on Portrack Lane, near the Daisy Chain store, and he was “drunk”. She then stated that he had later been found on the A19 flyover and was dropped off at Teesside Industrial Estate.
She questioned why Mr Harris was “dropped off in the state he was in” and claimed that Cleveland Police “failed my brother in their duty of care”.
Ms Edwards stated that the last time she saw her brother he was “in good spirits” and that while he was still drinking alcohol every day, he had reduced his intake. She went on to tell the inquest that she didn’t understand why her brother was found in a woodland as he was “scared of the dark”.
Chloe’s son Georgie Mark Perks kissing a photo of his grandad (Image: UGC Chloe Harris)
Ms Bailey clarified Mr Harris’ timeline of events in the lead up to police contact on July 26. The court heard that he took his daughter on a bus home and arrived back in Teesside on July 24.
He stayed at a property on Ashling Way, Linthorpe[9], Middlesbrough. He then spent the following night on a sofa at a friend’s home on Ashling Way.
Former PSCO Amy Hyam spoke to Mr Harris on July 26, 2020, after responding to reports of a man “walking through traffic on Portrack Lane”. She confirmed she attended, along with PCSO Bennett, to a report concerning the “safety of a man” who was “wandering in and out of traffic”.
They located Mr Harris on Portrack Lane walking on the pavement and said Mr Harris was not swaying or unsteady. She told the court that he had one unopened can of alcohol in his jacket and was “in good spirits”, “wasn’t drunk at all” and had a 10 minute conversation with the officers.
Former PSCO Martin Bennett also took to the witness box to give evidence. He said that the pair offered to give him a lift but he said he was “fine” and he was going to visit his daughter.
A19 pick-up
Police officer Liam Sewell gave evidence next. The coroner’s court heard that PC Sewell responded to a call reporting a “male walking on the A19 flyover”.
He stated that Mr Harris got into the police vehicle when he arrived at the scene and described him as walking “briskly” across the road. Mr Harris told the officer that he was “hitchhiking to Norfolk” to see his daughter.
Police pictured near the scene on the A19 (Image: Terry Blackburn)
PC Sewell stated that he dropped him off at Teesside Industrial Estate as it was a “safe place” and he knew there was a lorry park and haulage that passed through.
The officer described Mr Harris as “happy go lucky” and engaging with him. During the ‘five to ten minute’ car journey, PC Sewell passed Mr Harris’ details over the radio and no markers were flagged up.
The officer concluded that he “couldn’t smell alcohol”, his speech was “quite clear” and he had “no concerns” over his welfare. When asked about the drop off location, PC Sewell stated: “I wasn’t going to take him from a place of danger to another place of danger.”
Teesside Live has contacted Cleveland Police for comment.
The inquest continues.
References
- ^ A19 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ was from Hardwick (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Thornaby (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Hartlepool (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cleveland Police (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Broken family row ends in death of dad who became ‘wedged under car’ after chase with knives (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Hardwick (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Linthorpe (www.gazettelive.co.uk)