David McTaggart death: Policeman performed CPR on robber after arrest
An armed police officer who arrested a robber – who within minutes was unresponsive and later died – has denied he ignored signs he needed urgent medical care.
Pc Simon Allen, of West Midlands Police Firearms Unit, was the first officer to respond to reports a robbery had taken place in Stafford Road Wolverhampton.
The culprit had been detained by two tree surgeons who happened to be driving past.
Pc Allen handcuffed 29-year-old David McTaggart, who had been one of the most prolific car key burglars the region had ever seen, and told him he was under arrest.
Yesterday, the officer told an inquest jury he asked Mr McTaggart if he had any ‘sharps’ to which he received the reply ‘no’.
Pc Allen said at that point he left Mr McTaggart with another officer, Pc Debra Goode, who had just arrived while he got details from the two tree surgeons who had performed the citizen’s arrest.
It was while talking to the men Pc Allen was asked by the other officer to come back and look at Mr McTaggart, of Greenwood Road, Wolverhampton, because she had concerns he was unwell.
Pc Allen said: “David’s skin colour had changed from when I initially arrived, he was much paler.
“I put some gloves on to take a pulse. I could not find a pulse at first despite several attempts in different locations.”
Pc Allen went on to perform CPR until paramedics arrived.
Mr McTaggart was taken to New Cross Hospital where he died three days later on October 19 last year.
Mr Huw Davies, representing Mr McTaggart’s family, asked Pc Allen if he accepted he had ignored signs to take immediate remedial action when he first arrived.
Pc Allen said: “There were no other signs.”
Mr Davies asked: “His calmness, his lack of life signs, should that not have prompted immediate action?”
Pc Allen replied: “No. I have arrested people before who have fought and at the point they are arrested have given up.”
Later in his evidence, the officer added: “He could hear what I was saying and could verbalise a response so for me there was no issue with his airway or consciousness.”
McTaggart was detained in Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, near the junction of Church Road opposite Oxley Moor Road, at around midnight on October 16 last year.
The thief, of Greenwood Road, Wolverhampton, came to public attention in 2010, when it was revealed how he had stolen high performance car worth £265,000 from the Black Country and Staffordshire.
The inquest, at Black Country Coroner’s Court, continues and is set to last all week.
