London - Supporters of a black former paratrooper who died in police custody in 1998, yesterday called for the Crown Prosecution Service to review the case after an inquest ruled he was killed unlawfully.
Christopher Alder (37) who was decorated for his service with the British Army, died with his hands cuffed behind his back and trousers around his knees on the floor of the custody suite at Queen's Gardens police station in Hull, East Yorkshire, in April 1998.
The inquest at Hull Crown Court was told police officers stood by laughing and joking while the father of two lay dying on the floor.
After an inquest lasting seven weeks, which included a police video showing the dead man's final moments, the jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing - saying Mr Alder had died from "postular asphyxiation". Five officers from Humberside Police have been charged with misconduct in connection with Mr Alder's death and have been suspended from duty.