Tributes paid to Toni Emma Speck, of Huntington, who died in police custody

Toni Emma Speck, of Huntington, died on June 2 after being detained by police under the Mental Health Act.

Toni, 31, was taken from the Bootham area to Fulford Road police station, but died after being found collapsed in her cell – sparking a probe by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

She left a ten-year-old daughter, Caitlin, mum Maureen, dad Stuart, sisters Michaela and Dawn, brothers Stuart and Craig, and nephews Thomas, James, George and Jack.

Today Toni’s family have described her as having a “smile that could light up a room”.

They said despite having a “troubled past” and suffering from bipolar disorder, Toni had the “strength of an ox” and had wanted to put her past behind her.

Her sister, Michaela Peters, of York, said: “She was beautiful, funny, kind and most of all wanted to make something of her life; not waste another minute looking back, but looking to her future.

“She adored Caitlin – her daughter was the centre of her universe – and Caitlin adored her.”

Toni was born on July 11, 1979, was the youngest of five children, and grew up in Burdyke Avenue, Clifton.

Her family said Toni was an “excitable and happy child”, pictured, who loved new experiences. She attended Canon Lee School where she developed a love for music and reading, even demonstrating a talent for singing. Her sister, Dawn Atkinson, said: “She loved making people smile and relished the attention.”

After leaving school, Toni went on to pursue a career in hairdressing, but her sisters said she began to associate with the wrong kind of people, leading to a “difficult few years”. That changed in 2000 when she gave birth to Caitlin.

However, a few years later, after suffering from depression, Toni was admitted to Bootham Hospital, leading to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Dawn said: “She spent four months in hospital and even this did not dampen her spirits.

“Toni had a lot of love to give and brought happiness to not only her daughter’s life but friends and family.”

Toni was discharged from Bootham in April this year, after which she spent her time with her daughter, enjoying activities such as swimming and horse riding.

Dawn said: “Toni was ready to live the rest of her life and looked forward to what her future would bring. However, her time was cut short when she tragically died.”

The IPCC said Toni had been stopped by police after concerns had been raised about her erratic manner.

Officers had tried to calm her down, but later had to arrest her. It is thought Toni had been assessed by an on-duty nurse while in custody and deemed fit to be there, but about two hours later her condition had deteriorated and she became unconscious.

Staff alerted the ambulance service, but she was pronounced dead on arrival at York Hospital shortly afterwards.

An inquest into Toni’s death has been opened and adjourned to allow her family to arrange a funeral, which will be held at 12.45pm tomorrow at St Philip’s and St James’s Church, Clifton, followed by a committal service at York Crematorium.