A MAN running naked around a field while scratching and pulling at himself "as if trying to get a demon off him" later died in police custody, an inquest heard today (Monday, October 13)

Kirk Williams, 26, of Stockton, was spotted at about 11am removing his clothes in a field off the Moorhouse estate in Eaglescliffe, on Sunday, April 17, 2011.

The Teesside coroner was told six police officers eventually managed to handcuff him and apply leg restrainers.

Mr Williams, an asbestos remover and father-of-two, had been drinking the previous night, assistant Teesside coroner Sam Foulks was told. Drugs, including the stimulant mephedrome or MCat and cocaine, were later found in his body.

He had recently moved back into his mother's house on Beechwood Road, Eaglescliffe, after falling out with his girlfriend,

Police had originally planned to take Mr Williams to hospital, but instead they decided to take him straight to Middlesbrough Police Station.

After more than an hour in custody, a doctor told police to take Mr Williams to hospital after a very brief inspection. An ambulance was called shortly before 1pm but Mr Williams died in James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough shortly after 2.30pm.

Earlier, witnesses said they saw Mr Williams being punched up to three times in the field by a police officer. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has investigated but its findings will not be made public until the inquest, expected to last up to five weeks, is concluded.

The jury inquest heard from Eaglescliffe woman Hazel Coverdale, who called 999 after seeing Mr Williams stripping off in a wheat field behind her house.

She said: "He was just in the middle of the field running round in circles. It was as if some demon was on him, and he was trying to flick it away."

Mrs Coverdale's son-in-law, farmer John Coverdale, said he saw a Taser gun brandished by the first police officer at the scene, who was trying to deal with the 18-and-a-half-stone, 6ft man on his own.

The Taser was not used and later, after more police officers arrived, Mr Coverdale said he saw a baton brandished although, again, he didn't see it used.

However, he said he saw a police officer hit Mr Williams three times.

He also told police he heard a conversation between two police officers. He said: "One said, 'why are you taking him to the hospital Brian?' The other said, 'what are you? a doctor? We've got to follow the right procedure'."

The inquest heard Mr Williams had fallen out with his former partner, Jodie Linton. The pair had argued in the early hours of the morning in what had been their shared home and Miss Linton had called the police.

The inquest continues.