NO evidence of excessive force was found on the body of a man who died in police custody, an inquest was told today.

The hearing into the death of John Gardiner, 40, a builder, was told that an examination by a pathologist instructed by solicitors acting on behalf of the family had also concluded there was no evidence that he was asphyxiated during his arrest.

The pathologist's report concluded that Gardiner, of Hozier Street, Blackburn, had died from heart failure, probably brought on by physical exertion and an abnormal heart beat.

The inquest into the death of Mr Gardiner who died on May 10 this year was also told that his body contained a potentially fatal amount of the drug amphetamine and also ephidrine which increases heart rate and makes the heart more sensitive to intense physical exertion.

A number of bruises found on the dead man's body were consistent with a struggle during his arrest.

The pathologist admitted it was possible for asphyxia to occur, even if there was no evidence.

The hearing also heard that Mr Gardiner's heart was enlarged by 25 per cent.

Earlier in the hearing Mr Gardiner's father Anthony of Queens Park, Blackburn, told of his shock on the night that his son died.

He said his son's friend Neville Chapman came to his house and told him John had been stopped by the police in Glenluce Crescent.

He told of pushing through police barriers to see his son lying by the side of the road.

He said: "Two police officers put me in a car and took me to hospital. Five minutes after the ambulance arrived, a doctor came into the room and said he was dead on arrival and had died in police custody."

The hearing continues.

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