Wednesday 22 June 2022 01:59 PM Cops DON'T apologise for wrongly naming Greggs 'thief' who went on to kill ... trends now
Bungling police today offered their 'deepest sympathies' - but failed to apologise - to the family of a suspected Greggs sausage roll thief, who killed himself after officers wrongly named him a paedophile.
Brian Temple, 34, hanged himself six months after Cleveland Police incorrectly stated in custody release papers that he had been detained for child sex offences against a 13-year-old girl.
A two-day inquest heard that he was subjected to public abuse and attacks in the street after his horrified girlfriend read the papers and spread the false allegations around the local community.
Mr Temple, of Redcar, North Yorkshire, soon turned to booze and cocaine and was found dead at home on New Year's Eve 2017.
A coroner has ruled that his death could not be proved as suicide because he was hanged under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation into Cleveland Police shortly after the death. The police watchdog is expected to make a statement later today.
After the inquest, Cleveland Police gave their 'sympathies' to Mr Temple's family - but stopped short of apologising for their mistake.
Brian Temple, who killed himself after police wrongly named him a paedophile
File image of a branch of British bakery chain Greggs
A force spokesperson said: 'Cleveland Police offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Temple at this incredibly difficult time. Following the tragic death of Mr Temple Cleveland Police have implemented changes to the information people are given on release from custody and we have been fully engaged in the inquest process.'
Mr Temple was arrested on June 8, 2017 on suspicion of stealing the pastry from a Greggs shop, but upon release from police custody, he was given incorrect release papers detailing a sexual offence.
The police detention officer on shift at the time had pressed the enter key and selected the incorrect offence for the documents.
So instead of it reading theft, it read 'engaging 13-15
