THE Independent Police Complaints Commission says there is no case to answer for any officer over the death of a woman in a York police station cell.

The IPCC has spoken out following the completion on Friday of an inquest into the death of 31-year-old Toni Speck at the station in Fulford Road on June 2, 2011.

It said it had conducted an investigation which concluded in May 2012 but had then awaited the conclusion of the inquest before publishing the outcome.

Toni, from Huntington, was detained under the Mental Health Act after a family member reported her behaving erratically in the Bootham area. She was found unconscious in a custody cell that evening and died a short time later.

The IPCC said it found that witnesses corroborated officers’ accounts that she was in an agitated state and resisting officers.

"CCTV footage showed her being placed on the floor and handcuffed before being led to a police van; witnesses described this having been done in a professional manner," it said in a statement.

"Whilst the lawfulness of the police use of force is ultimately a matter for the court, the investigator’s view was that there was sufficient evidence to support that the officers’ use of force, in the circumstances, was appropriate."

It said the investigation identified the following:

*Though the level of cell checks was appropriate, more frequent checks could have been conducted, given Ms Speck’s distressed state

*As a vulnerable person ,an appropriate adult should have been present during Ms Speck’s detention

*There was a significant delay by North Yorkshire Police in informing Ms Speck’s family of her death. "The force reviewed and amended this procedure in June 2012 following a recommendation from the IPCC," it added.

IPCC commissioner Kathryn Stone said: “My sincere condolences go to Ms Speck’s family. I hope the lessons learned from this tragic event will help others in the future.

“North Yorkshire Police fully accepted the IPCC’s recommendation following the conclusion of the investigation in 2012 to ensure that clear direction is provided to staff in relation to the timely notification of a death to family members.”