AN officer described the last time he heard a man shouting in the back of his van while transporting him to a police station, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

PC Richard Clark told an inquest into the death of Lenny McCourt that he was shouting and banging when he was arrested during a disturbance in Seaham and put into the vehicle.

But a short while into the journey to Peterlee Police Station he either fell silent or was drowned out by other noise.

PC Clark could hear Mr McCourt when he stopped at a roundabout at Nose’s Point, just a fifth into the journey, though he may have continued to make noise that was inaudible over background sound like traffic and officers’ radios.

Earlier in proceedings, the jury was told Mr McCourt was twice pepper sprayed at the scene of the disturbance in Ash Crescent, Seaham, on September 11, 2010, before being taken into custody.

He was certified dead after his arrival at the station.

PC Clark said officers know they have a duty of care to detainees but he had no specific concerns about Mr McCourt’s welfare.

He said he was focussed on driving but recalled Special Constable Jeanette Horlock, who travelled in the passenger seat, looking round to check on Mr McCourt.

He hadn’t realised Ms Horlock could not see the 44-year-old, evidence she had given earlier in the hearing.

Coroner Andrew Tweddle said: “It was possible there was not as much monitoring as you thought there was.”

“Very possible,” replied PC Clark.

Inspector Richard Allen, a former safety training officer, told the inquest he would prefer an officer to be closer to the cage area of the van to monitor Mr McCourt but that officers are trained and use common sense to judge specific situations.

The hearing, at Crook, County Durham, continues.