The family of a Bolton man who died after 'unlawful force' was applied has said they can "now begin to grieve" after an inquest into his death took place seven years following his death.
David Molloy died in September 2017 after a disturbance at a property in Halliwell.
Following his inquest, his sister, Justine Molloy, paid tribute to her bother describing him as a person who "could light up any room".
Mr Molloy was at a property on Elgin Street, Halliwell, in September 2017 when police were called.
A woman who called the police said he had been "wrecking her house" and another person who called the police said he had "choked him out" on a number of occasions during the disturbance overnight September 9 and 10.
He urged the police to get there as he did not want to have to do this again.
Video footage showed him on the floor when officers arrived
Police tried to transport the 48-year-old to hospital but he collapsed while in their vehicle and was taken onwards by the ambulance service and died a short time later.
An inquest into the death of the man from Pendlecroft Avenue, Pendlebury took place at Bolton Coroners Court this year after a number of delays.
Due to the fact the death took place in state custody a jury was required to determine the outcome.
They ruled that unlawful force had played a role in his death.
They concluded the death was caused by a coronary artery atheroma, cocaine toxicity, the pathophysiological effects of the events the unlawful use of force by another man before the police arrived.
He was pronounced dead on September.
The jury found the police were not at fault.
The case will now be referred on to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The inquest heard Mr Molloy had been born in Oldham but resided in Swinton and had worked as a doorman and a plant hire operator in the construction industry.
Paying tribute, Ms Molloy, described her brother as a "fantastic person".
Ms Molloy, the younger sister of David, said: “We are relieved that after many years, David’s inquest has finally taken place and we can now begin to grieve.
"We are devastated by David’s death, and struggled hugely with not knowing what happened that night in 2017.
"David was a fantastic person, who could light up any room with his presence. He was a much-loved son, brother, dad and friend.
"We miss him every day.”
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Lucie Boase, from Broudie Jackson Canter Solicitors, represented the family at the inquest.
She said: “Due to a combination of factors, nearly seven years passed between David’s death and his inquest taking place.
"At times David’s family found the wait intolerable, and I commend them for their strength and fortitude in seeing this process through to its conclusion.
"Finally, they have answers to some of their questions about what happened to David on the night of 9-10 September 2017.
"During the inquest, we heard that Greater Manchester Police have rolled out further training to its staff in relation to identifying the signs of Acute Behavioural Disturbance.
"We hope that this training will help to provide officers with sufficient knowledge to identify ABD as a medical emergency, and to help save lives.”
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