South Yorkshire Police escape independent investigation over Doncaster man's death

The force referred itself to the IOPC last week (January 8) for assessment following the death of Jerry Appicella, who was found dead inside a property on Craganour Place, Denaby Main on the morning of 15 December after officers responded to calls of concerns for his welfare.

The IOPC oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales. It is entirely independent of police and government.

A spokesperson for the organisation confirmed they had decided against an independent investigation.

They said: “We have assessed the information provided by South Yorkshire Police and decided that this should be investigated locally.”

South Yorkshire Police will now conduct an internal investigation into their conduct in relation to Mr Appicella.

A post mortem on 16 December found Mr Appicella died as a result of head injuries.

It is believed that he had been involved in an altercation with a group of people on Tuesday 3 December in an alleyway leading to Hickleton Street in Denaby Main prior to his death.

Two men – Shae Nicholson, 19, of Lincoln Close, Denaby Main and Martel Brown,23, of no fixed abode – and a boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged with murder over his death. They will stand trial at Sheffield Crown Court later this year.