A SECOND man has died after being held in custody by Northumbria Police in the space of a week.

An investigation was launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission on Saturday after Stephen Berry, 43, from Houghton-le-Spring, died as he was held at Washington Police Station in the early hours of the morning.

The man, who has not yet been named, had been arrested on warrant on Thursday at his home address in Houghton-le-Spring.

He had failed to appear at Gateshead Magistrates' Court, on Tuesday, for possessing an offensive weapon.

Chief Superintendent Kay Blyth, of Northumbria Police, said: “We offer our sincere condolences to this man's family and friends at what is clearly a difficult time for them.

“Any death in police custody, irrespective of the circumstances, must be immediately referred to the IPCC and we are working with them to fully assist with their investigation.

“Deaths in police custody are fortunately relatively uncommon and there were no custody deaths in the Northumbria Police area last year.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident is subject to an independent investigation by the IPCC and we are giving it our full co-operation.”

The IPPC confirmed it was investigating the death, which comes a week after the death of 34-year-old Martin Leck, who was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and taken to South Shields Police station on March 22.

Mr Leck, of Imeary Street, South Shields, was found in his cell not breathing and an ambulance was called. He was pronounced dead at South Tyneside General Hospital.

In a statement following the latest death, an IPCC spokesperson said: “The available records indicate police officers requested the attendance of a police doctor in the evening on Friday and an ambulance was called at around 11.30 pm.

“The man was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead where he was pronounced dead at around 1am.

“His next of kin have been informed. IPCC family liaison managers will meet with the man's family at the earliest opportunity to explain our role and to update them on our investigation.”