Husband dies months after handcuff ordeal

Keith Hyrons, aged 77 and a former Kidderminster Harriers youth player, was sectioned for 28 days after police attended Howbury House in Malvern in September.

Following a rapid deterioration in his health, he died from bronchopneumonia at Park House Nursing Home in Kinlet near Bewdley this month. His wife Val today said he never recovered from the ordeal.

Mrs Hyrons previously criticised officers from the West Mercia force, claiming they took a 'heavy-handed approach' to her ill husband.

West Mercia Police received a formal complaint from the family last month and launched an investigation.

Mrs Hyrons, aged 74, of Harvington Close in Kidderminster, said: "I think all the upset, all the hassle and the problems with police and the hospital just brought him down – by the end he had just totally given up.

"Before he died he lost that much weight he was down to seven-and-a-half stone – it was heartbreaking to watch, but we could do nothing."

She had dropped her husband off at Howbury House in Malvern before going on a week-long holiday, but within hours her son Leighton got a call to say he was upsetting some residents.

The next day, he was told the police had been called and had taken his father to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove.

Mrs Hyrons said: "You don't handcuff a 77-year-old man – I dread to think the pain he was going through.

"He'd obviously been placed in new surroundings and had become confused, but I do not think there was any need for the heavy-handed approach.

"It was very upsetting for the family."

The family managed to persuade the health authorities to allow him back home early after he was sectioned – in time for his 77th birthday.

However, his deteriorating condition resulted in the difficult decision to send him to Park House Nursing Home, where he died on November 8.

Mrs Hyrons says she wants improved police training for dealing with people with dementia.

Lynne Masters, spokeswoman for the West Mercia force, confirmed the complaint had been received and said an investigation had been launched.

Worcestershire County Council, which manages Howbury House care home, declined to comment.

Around 300 people turned out for Mr Hyrons' funeral at Wyre Forest Crematorium earlier this month.

He was well known in Kidderminster for his work coaching at football clubs and employment as a BT engineer for 30 years.

He retired 20 years ago, but was diagnosed with dementia six years ago.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years Val, his son Leighton and daughter Lara.