A JURY has returned a narrative conclusion into the death of a grandfather who died after being restrained by doormen during a fracas at a night club.

In its finding, the jury concluded: "The factors contributing to Mr Stewart Anderson's death were underlying heart disease, alcohol and drugs combined with the stress and exertion of a prolonged period of restraint."

They added: "Following an evening at the Loveshack in Durham on July 24, 2016, and consuming alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine, with an underlying heart condition, Mr Anderson was involved in an altercation, which resulted in him being restrained by door staff.

"During this time CPR was attempted. Mr Anderson was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham where he was pronounced dead at 8am on July 24, 2016."

During a three-day hearing Crook Coroner’s Court heard was told the 54-year-old of Hetton-le-Hole had to be restrained by three doormen for about six minutes outside the Walkergate club after punching two doormen who were trying to eject him and two friends from the venue.

Simon Hopper, one of the men who restrained Mr Anderson for about six minutes until police arrived, told jurors it had been like “fighting with an animal”.

Mr Anderson had been drinking with friend Alan King and his son Jordan before ending up in Loveshack in the early hours of Sunday, July 24.

The trio were thrown off the dance floor shortly before 1am following allegations that Mr King junior had punched another man.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of violence breaking out after doormen asked them to leave the premises.

Doorman Michael Murray said Mr Anderson punched him three or four times in the face.

The inquest heard he was brought to the ground and restrained on his side by Mr Hopper, along with two other Loveshack doormen.

When police arrived and handcuffed Mr Anderson, they turned him over and discovered parts of his face were blue.

Mr Hopper, who was a doorman for 28 years but has now retired, said he had restrained people in a similar way on many occasions, though it was unusual to restrain a man on the ground for as long as they did.

Mr Hopper said Mr Anderson continued to resist until the handcuffs were put on and was still speaking prior to the arrival of police.

After seeing Mr Anderson’s face, PC Dawn Lee called an ambulance because she thought he might be dead, the inquest heard.

Defibrillators were used at the scene and Mr Anderson was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham (UHND), where he was pronounced dead at 8am.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Anderson had cocaine, ecstasy and alcohol in his blood and also had an enlarged heart and narrowed blood vessels, which contributed to his death, as well the stress and exertion suffered while being restrained.

Meanwhile, the Durham Police officers who attempted to save his life have been commended for their efforts following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A statement said: "As part of our investigation we analysed CCTV and body worn footage of the incident, reviewed police radio transmissions, took statements from an independent witness and interviewed the officers directly involved.

"At around 1am, two police constables attended the nightclub following reports of a disturbance. The officers arrived to find two men being detained by door staff who told the officers that the men had been acting violently towards nightclub staff.

"One of the men, Stewart Anderson, was laying on his front when the officers arrived. PC Dawn Lee handcuffed Mr Anderson, but on rolling him over realised he had stopped breathing, so she immediately began to administer CPR and radioed for assistance.

"PC Lee had attended with PC Amy Nicholson who attempted to remove the handcuffs but wasn’t able to while Mr Anderson was laid on his back.

"Following the call for support, PC Victoria Atkinson arrived and used a defibrillator to try and revive Mr Anderson, she was also able to get one hand free from the handcuffs before paramedics attended.

"PC Brendan Jackson also attended the scene and both he, and a member of the public, administered chest compressions whilst they waited for the ambulance.

The pathologist who carried out the post mortem said the CPR was effective and PC Lee was correct in trying to resuscitate Mr Anderson before removing the handcuffs.

Miranda Biddle said: “It is very clear from the evidence we gathered that the police officers who attended the scene that night did everything in their power to try and save Mr Anderson’s life.

"There is no indication that any of the officers involved breached the standards of behaviour expected of them; in fact the officers performed their duties to a high standard in very difficult circumstances.

“As soon as the officers became aware that Mr Anderson wasn’t breathing they began to administer CPR and called for urgent medical assistance. In this kind of dynamic situation every second counts and PC Lee’s decision to start CPR before removing the handcuffs was vindicated by the pathologist.

“Whenever someone dies following contact with the police, it is our role to ensure public confidence by independently investigating the circumstances, and now that the inquest has concluded we can publish our findings. Our thoughts remain with Mr Anderson’s family and friends and all those affected by this sad incident.”

A criminal investigation into the actions of the door supervisors was carried out by Durham Constabulary. The Crown Prosecution Service concluded that there was insufficient evidence on which to prosecute any of the nightclub’s door staff in relation to Mr Anderson’s death. 

Mark Brockhurst of Securicorp said following the hearing: "I hope these past four days at the coroner's court have drawn an end to the devastating loss for the family, also the affect it has had on other people’s lives involved with the case.

"It has been proved that no criminal acts were carried out by either door staff or the security company although we will be making some recommendations and improvements to the government and the Sia.

"Once again our condolences to the family and respect at strength of Kay for representing them."

Last year, Mr King Sr was given a community order after admitting to affray for his role in events, while charges against his son were dropped after witnesses withdrew their support for the prosecution.