THE man who died in his cell at Loddon Valley police station earlier this month has been named.

Leroy Junior Medford, 43, died 24 hours after he was taken into custody by officers on Sunday, April 2, on suspicion of assault and possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

A post-mortem was opened after the suspect collapsed at the police station in Earley, but the results were inconclusive.

Thames Valley Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after the man died after being found unresponsive in his cell.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: “Officers became concerned about the man’s welfare and he was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital.

“He was later discharged by the hospital and returned to custody at Loddon Valley that evening. At around 4am Sunday he was found unresponsive in his cell.

“He was given medical assistance by custody staff and then paramedics, and was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 5am.”

The IPCC is awaiting the outcome of further tests, which will be passed to the coroner.

IPCC associate commissioner Guido Liguori said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man, and those affected by his death.

“Our investigators met with a number of family members and will continue to support them throughout the investigation.

“We are now working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the man’s death.”