Man shot with Taser stun-gun during arrest dies in hospital

A man who was shot by police using a Taser during his arrest has died in hospital.

Martin Baskeyfield was detained for motoring offences on September 29 last year. During the arrest he was subdued by officers who shot him using the Taser stun-gun.

Five days later he was admitted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, but died on January 14 2013.

Charges for motoring offences levelled against Mr Baskeyfield were withdrawn following his death.

Medical tests are now being carried out to determine whether there is any link between the use of the Taser, more than three months ago, and Mr Baskeyfield's recent death.

Following his arrest, Mr Baskeyfield's relatives made a complaint to Staffordshire Police over the level of force used.

The force then referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

An IPCC spokesman said: “The IPCC is independently investigating the arrest of Martin Baskeyfield, in Stoke-on-Trent.

“During the arrest in Cotterill Grove, he was Tasered and was later charged with offences and released on bail.

“On 9 October 2012, Staffordshire Police received a complaint about the police use of force during the arrest.

“The IPCC investigation continues into the full circumstances of the arrest.

“Sadly, Mr Baskeyfield passed away in hospital on January 14 this year.

“A Home Office post-mortem is being conducted to determine cause of death and the coroner has been informed.”

Staffordshire Police said it is co-operating fully with the IPCC investigation.