Ms Dhu inquest: Coroner criticises 'inhumane' WA police treatment before death in custody - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

18.12.16

Ms Dhu inquest: Coroner criticises 'inhumane' WA police treatment before death in custody - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): Ms Dhu had been detained at the South Hedland Police Station lock up for three days for unpaid fines totalling $3,622, but "suffered a catastrophic deterioration in her health" while in police custody, the coroner found.

Ms Fogliani has recommended the law be changed so people could no longer be imprisoned for the non-payment of fines.

But speaking outside the Perth Central Law Courts after the findings were delivered, Ms Dhu's mother Della Roe said she was not happy with the coroner's recommendations, because no-one had been held accountable for her daughter's death.

Ms Dhu had suffered two broken ribs after her partner threw her to the ground in April 2014, but one rib never healed properly and became infected.
Ms Dhu died in police custody in South Hedland.
Photo: Ms Dhu died after being taken to hospital for a third time in 48 hours. (Supplied: Carol Roe)