Drunk father died after fall down stairs

A father-of-seven died after falling down the stairs while police visited his home, an inquest has heard.

Recovering cancer patient Martin Addenbrooke had drunk around eight pints when he fell down the full flight of the stairs at his home in Ivy House Road, Oldbury on March 14 this year. At the time police had been trying to apprehend him for causing a breach of the peace.

They were called to the house by Mr Addenbrooke's sister-in-law.

But Black Country coroner Robin Balmain, who recorded a verdict of death by accident, yesterday commended the two police officers, saying: "These were highly experienced officers who behaved impeccably."

The inquest, which was held at Smethwick Council House, heard that Mr Addenbrooke, a 47-year-old former glass blower, was a recovering alcoholic but he had been out drinking at the Fox Tavern in Whiteheath when he began arguing with his wife Ann-Marie, aged 27.

She left and he later walked home with her sister, who called the police because "he was drunk and she couldn't handle him".

Mrs Addenbrooke said: "He had drunk a lot quite quickly. My sister came in and the police were right behind her."

Pc Andy Cleaver, who was on patrol in the area with his colleague Pc Mark Plant, told the coroner Mrs Addenbrooke later asked them to take her husband to his daughter's house in Brierley Hill. As he went upstairs to get her address Mr Addenbrooke followed him and began "shouting and flailing his arms about".

He said: "I was in front of him. Then he sort of launched himself off the stairs. There was a sickening noise. We ran downstairs. He wasn't breathing."

Mr Addenbrooke was taken to Sandwell General Hospital where he died later that day. He had sustained a fracture to his skull.

An inquiry launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission found no misconduct.