The family of a man who died following an incident at a York city centre store have welcomed news of progress regarding his inquest.
Sam Diatta died in York Hospital on 26 July 2022, a short time after he had been restrained in the Mappin & Webb jewellery store, then located on Coney Street. He was 39.
An inquest was opened and adjourned into his death on 23 January 2023.
At that hearing, the provisional cause of death was given as hypertensive heart disease and the effects of being restrained. It was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
Now, three years and three months after Mr Diatta’s death, a date has been set for the pre-inquest review hearing. It will take place on Monday 20 October.
A pre-inquest review (PIR) is an administrative hearing held by a coroner before a full inquest to deal with procedural matters and prepare for the main hearing.
At a PIR, the coroner decides on the scope of the inquest, determines which witnesses should be called, agrees on relevant reports, and sets the date and length of the final hearing.
On behalf of Mr Diatta’s family, his sister Téba told YorkMix: “We’ve waited over three years so it’s definitely time for things to progress. Sam is never far from our thoughts.”
The North Yorkshire Coroner’s Office said it would not be appropriate to comment on why it has taken three years to get a pre-inquest review.
According to the Coroners’ Court Support Service, most coroners aim to complete Inquests within 6-9 months of the initial report of the death.
Sometimes the process may take longer if the case is especially complex or if another investigation into the circumstances of the death is also running, such as a police enquiry.
Timeline of events
Tuesday 26 July 2022, 4.40pm: Police are called to reports of a disturbance at the Mappin & Webb jewellery store on Coney Street. They find that Sam Diatta has been restrained and become unresponsive. He is given first aid by paramedics before being taken to hospital.
Tuesday 26 July 2022, 6.40pm: Mr Diatta is pronounced dead in York Hospital.
Wednesday 27 July 2022: Police release more details. They say when they arrived, Mr Diatta was being restrained by a member of the shop staff and three members of the public. Three men are arrested in connection with his death.
Thursday 28 July 2022: His family pay tribute to Sam, calling him “a gentle giant, who was kind and generous and loved by all who met him.” He had been diagnosed as bipolar. “Sadly, in his later teenage years Sam developed mental health issues which stayed with him throughout his life,” his family said.
Wednesday 10 August 2022: The Independent Office for Police Conduct says it will not be investigating North Yorkshire Police’s actions in response to the incident.
Thursday 25 August 2022: Family and friends of Sam Diatta remember him at a vigil outside York Minster.
Monday 23 January 2023: An inquest opens in Northallerton into the death of Sam Diatta. The provisional cause of death is hypertensive heart disease and the effects of being restrained.
Friday 7 July 2023: Police announce that no one will be charged with any offence following the death of Sam Diatta. Four men had been arrested. But “following the submission of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Case Team” charges were dropped. His family say: “We as a family are heartbroken at the loss of Sam but we choose to forgive those involved in his death. As Christians we can’t hold a grudge and hope that lessons will be learned.”
Wednesday 26 July 2023: On the first anniversary of Sam Diatta’s death, sister Téba speaks of the profound shock of his loss, and says the family hope an inquest will give them more answers about what happened.
