THE FAMILY of Mohamud Mohammed Hassan dispute claims made about their son on an official toxicology report.

The report lawyers were shown claims the 24-year-old was drinking and taking drugs with friends on the night he was arrested.

It also suggests that an argument broke out and a fight took place.

When lawyers came across the information, they asked toxicologists where the claims had come from.

They say toxicologists told them the information was from the Coroner’s office. The legal team has now asked the Coroner’s office where that information came from.

Hilary Brown, who is representing Mohamud’s family told The Voice: “What we are trying to demonstrate is how biased this investigation has been from the beginning.

“When we get anything exposed to us that attempts to skew the investigation, we will challenge it.”

The toxicology report itself shows no sign that Mohamud had consumed drugs or alcohol, according to Lee Jasper who claims to have knowledge of the report.

Unfair, racist stereotypes

There are concerns that attempts to characterise Mohamud in this way, stem from unfair, racist stereotypes about Black British communities.

Lee Jasper, community organiser said: “Such tropes are usually deployed as an ‘explanation’ for the police using massive and disproportionate force on Black people. 

“We can all write the playbook for this kind of institutional injustice playing out before our eyes.

“It would appear to me that this could be part of a conspiracy to obscure the truth by seeking to smear the victim with convenient racial tropes that carry powerful currency within the context of institutionally racist organisations.”

Michael Mansfield QC, a well-known and respected human rights lawyer is now working on Mohamud’s case.

In the past, he has represented Stephen Lawrence’s family and the families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

Mohamud Mohammed Hassan died following time spent in police custody, on January 9.

Police arrested him and took him to Cardiff Bay police station, then released him without charge.

His family claim he was violently beaten by Cardiff police, and that they have images which show his injuries.

South Wales police said: “The circumstances surrounding Mr Hassan’s death are subject to an independent investigation by the IOPC therefore we are unable to comment until that has concluded.”

A spokesperson from the Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC) said: “Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sad death of Mohamud Hassan is at an early stage and ongoing. We are examining police contact with Mr Hassan prior to his death including the level of force used by officers, and are carrying out a number of investigative steps.

“We have been provided with a preliminary post mortem report and initial toxicology results. We also have extensive footage including body-worn video and CCTV from multiple cameras and various sources including local authority, the police force and private outlets. We are painstakingly reviewing all of this evidence in order to help piece together what happened and this essential work will take some time. At this stage of the investigation it would not be appropriate to discuss any further evidential detail.

“We appreciate the family, to whom we have expressed our condolences, understandably want answers to a range of questions about Mr Hassan’s death. We intend to keep his family and legal representatives, the Coroner, and South Wales Police regularly updated as our investigation progresses. We will ensure our investigation is independent, thorough and impartial.”

The Voice has also sent a request for comment to the coroner’s office.