Kelly Hartigan-Burns died on 4 December 2016 after self-ligaturing in a cell in Blackburn Police Station. A member of the public had called 999 to report that she had been trying to take her own life in traffic, but Kelly was then arrested for a common assault and her mental health needs overlooked.
The custody sergeant who booked Kelly into the station, Jason Marsden, was in October 2021 found guilty of gross misconduct for bypassing requirements for a risk assessment before going off shift early. The family have found the delay in bringing this case to an inquest very difficult.
Carolynn Gallwey and Amy Ooi of Bhatt Murphy act for Kelly’s mother and brother.
