South Yorkshire Police referred to IOPC over Jerry Appicella death

Jerry Appicella’s body was found inside a property on Craganour Place, Denaby Main at around 9.45am on 15 December after officers responded to calls of concerns for his welfare.

It is believed Mr Appicella 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.

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

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.

A spokesperson for the IOPC confirmed the organisation was assessing the information submitted by South Yorkshire Police and a decision on whether or not they will be investigated could be made in the coming days.

A statement from South Yorkshire Police said: “South Yorkshire Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The referral is due to police contact with Mr Jerry Appicella in the weeks before his death.

“South Yorkshire Police continue to lead the investigation into his death for which three people are charged with murder and are due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court later this year.”