An ex-police officer who was jailed after being convicted of assaulting members of the public while on duty has been found dead.
Declan Jones, who previously worked for West Midlands Police, is believed to have been found at an address in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on Tuesday.
It is thought he had been released from prison recently, having been sent there for assaulting two people during the first coronavirus lockdown in England.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said at the time he was jailed, in September, the then 30-year-old assaulted two black males during separate stop and searches in Birmingham.
One of those he assaulted was a 15-year-old boy, and the offences took place on consecutive days.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “On December 28, officers were called to an address in Bromsgrove following reports of concern for the welfare of a man in his 30s.
“Sadly, the man was pronounced dead at around 12.45pm.
“We don’t believe there to be any third party involvement in the death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”
An IOPC spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of the death of a former West Midlands Police officer and our thoughts are with all of those affected at this very difficult time.
“As such it would be inappropriate to say anything further at this stage.”
Convicted following a trial
Jones was dismissed by the West Midlands force in September after he was convicted following a trial.
The first incident involved him punching, pepper-spraying and using his knee on a man in Aston, Birmingham, on 20 April 2020. CCTV showed the officer push the man and punch him several times, the IOPC said.
In the second incident, the following day, he kicked and punched a boy he wrongly accused of having drugs in the Newtown area of Birmingham.
Sentenced to 26 weeks in prison
He was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks in prison, told to pay each of his victims £500 compensation, and told he would be placed on 12 months’ probation following his release.
Chief constable Sir David Thompson was forced to apologise to both victims.
Jones was set to be tried again, next year, due to an allegation that he caused actual bodily harm during an incident involving a Taser.
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Maybe he was just a bad apple.