Thomas Orchard custody death: Police sergeant in court Published duration 30 January 2015

image caption Sgt Jan Kingshott, Michael Marsden and Simon Tansley are charged with manslaughter

A police sergeant accused of killing a church caretaker who collapsed in custody has appeared in court.

Sgt Jan Kingshott, 43, is charged with the manslaughter of Thomas Orchard, 32, who had been arrested in Exeter, Devon.

Civilian detention officers Simon Tansley, 37, and Michael Marsden, 54, are charged with the same offence.

All three men, who serve with Devon and Cornwall Police, were bailed by Exeter magistrates to appear at Bristol Crown Court on 26 February.

The defendants are charged with unlawfully killing schizophrenic Mr Orchard in October 2012 by the use of unreasonable force and another charge of unlawfully killing Mr Orchard by gross negligence.

They have also been charged with misconduct in public office.

The men made no pleas and spoke only to confirm their names and that they understood the charges against them.

image copyright Family handout image caption Thomas Orchard died after being arrested in Exeter

Related Topics Devon & Cornwall Police