Was excessive force used on Marlon Ledgister?

I Marlon Ledgister hear by submit that on the 23rd of January 2008 I was transported to Gatwick airport by 3 escorts and 1 medical officer.

My flight was due to depart at 9:15am on virgin flight number VS 065. I arrived at the airport around 7:45am on arrival 1 of the escorts left the van and returned saying the flight was delayed for 3 hours and the leaving time was now going to be at 12:30.

We waited around until it was time to board the plane I was then taken on a back route to the plane where I was taken to a security area and searched. I was then taken alone the walkway of the plane where i spent about half an hour. I was taken on the plane with another female detainee before all of the other passengers and taken to the back of the plane.

I was seated between 2 escorts i remembered the one on my left who i believed was named as Mark who had a shaven head he then fastened my seatbelt which was tight, twisted and uncomfortable.

Due to the circumstances in my home country and fear of being returned I was waiting to hear from my solicitor as my case worker had told him to forward representation on my behalf. My solicitor spoke to my case worker and told him my case file needed to be looked at properly and requested that my removal needed to be cancelled.

As this did not happen I asked Mark if he was ready to which he replied yes as I tried to stand I realised I was still wearing my seat belt i unfastened my seat belt and jumped over the seat in front of me and tried to run to the front of the plane.

I was chased by about 5 to 6 officers including flight security and caught then pushed to the ground and handcuffed and put in leg restraints. I was then dragged along the floor to where we were seated and placed to lay on the floor of the foot rest they then picked me up and forced me back into a seated position. I continued to cry for help as my handcuffs were very tight and then one of the officers placed his hand around my throat and was squeezing until I was close to passing out they continued by taking turns to try and silence me while being verbally and racially abusive.

By this time I was aware of the other passengers boarding the plane the officers then surrounded me so the other passengers could not witness what they were doing and I was threatened and told the people i feared in my home country would be told of my return. They then told me the british government does not want you in our country and you will be deported.

I continued to cry and plead for help shouting out my wife's telephone number for someone to call her and tell her what was happening to me. A officer named **** who was escorting the female detainee punched me after he had already kicked me while I was on the floor. I was placed in a headlock from behind by another officer my tongue was locked between my teeth where they were choking me and forcing there fingers behind my earlobes. I then felt like I was ready to pass out due to the lack of breath I was able to take I found myself praying and saying the lords prayer aloud so all the other passengers could hear me.

Each time they loosened the grip to give me air to breath after they realized that was not going to silence me.

I then heard one of them say I was being removed from the plane so I can stop now they then told me they were going to remove my leg restraints so I could walk off the plane.

I then realized I had no shoes on my feet I was made to stand and dragged to the front of the plane passing all the passengers to the exit and down the stairs into the van.

On my way back to the detention centre the officer in the front passenger seat became aggressive towards me saying he was going to request to be a part of the team when I am removed again to which I replied on my human rights and family ties. He then said how would I like it if British people came to Jamaica and lived off their benefits and free housing I told him that their is no system like that in Jamaica not even for the people that live there.

I became very upset and began to cry due to the way I was treated and started to feel and the comments made towards me being in this country.

We then arrived at a building I didn't know and one of the officers went inside and came back a short while later stating I was being taken to Harmondsworth. We arrived and I was taken to the reception area and placed in a room to the right of the entrance. My handcuffs were removed and I was given back my shoes I was then checked in and started to go through the reception process and made to see a nurse.

I explained to her what had happened while she took notes due to my bruising and torn clothes she gave me some pain killers and checked my blood pressure and weight and I was given a appointment to see the doctor for the following day. I went to see the doctor and was given more painkillers for my bruising and throat due to the excessive squeezing of my throat I have now lost my voice and cannot eat or swallow since the incident. I later reported the incident to Uxbridge police.

Marlon Ledgister, Friday 25th January 2008

Inquiries/further information: ncadc@ncadc.orguk