A trainee police officer was dealt with "too harshly" by a sergeant who “really went in on him" on one occasion, an inquest has heard.

Anugrah Abraham, 21, known as Anu, was found dead in Radcliffe on March 4 last year.

Anu, from Whitefield, was on a placement with West Yorkshire Police (WYP) as part of a three-year apprenticeship degree at Leeds Trinity University.

An inquest into his death started last Monday at Rochdale Coroners' Court and evidence was heard today, Wednesday, from a team member and sergeant who were in Anu’s team.

PC Taylor Barraclough started at the same time as Anu and was in the same cohort as him at Halifax.

She said she struggled being an officer in Halifax even though she had been a PCSO for two years prior to joining.

Speaking about Anu, she said: “He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, it was a pleasure to have known him.

“He was always looking out for everyone else, he was timid and quite quiet but, ultimately, he was kind and kind-hearted and he had an infectious smile.

“I really enjoyed his company.”

PC Barraclough said both of them would often rant to each other about university assignments and how the workload was difficult.

She added that Anu would also mention that he did not know if he would stay in the job after his mentoring period.

At Halifax, two out of the three sergeants were described as “unapproachable”, one being Sgt Mark Wade.

PC Barraclough said she thought both sergeants were “belittling” when she had questions about the job.

She spoke about one time when Sgt Wade criticised Anu on one occasion and “really went in on him” for a number of issues including being slow on jobs and losing things.

She said she thought the way Sgt Wade spoke to him was “too harsh”, although what he was being told off for was appropriate.

It was said that Anu “got a b*********” between five and seven times in front of everyone in the report rooms.

Although Anu did have a number of issues at work, PC Barraclough said that although peers on the team did not think Anu was where he should be, he was improving, just at a slower pace.

One issue PC Barraclough said about Anu was that he rarely stood up for himself and had to build up courage to ask for help.

When he would get told off, he would often stay quiet and just nod, and not speak back if he did not agree with something.

She also said Anu would rant about Sgt Wade.

Sgt Wade said that although he was one of three sergeants on Anu’s team, he was not his line manager.

He said: “It’s one of the most difficult jobs in the world. We’re never turning up to good news.

“We deal with very difficult situations, it’s a risky job and not everyone is happy to see us.

“It can take its toll on people but it’s very rewarding as well.

"But the job requires a lot of resilience.”

Sgt Wade agreed that his management style was blunt however he said he “never meant to offend or upset anyone or come across as unapproachable”.

He said that he has now reviewed how he speaks to people and has changed his tone.

He has spoken to people in one-to-one meetings instead of in front of an office and has also asked for feedback.

Describing Anu, he said that he liked him and understood the job was difficult for him.

He said he thought the course that students like Anu was on was very challenging as students would come to Halifax for 10 weeks, go on attachment to university for around four months, before returning.

Sgt Wade said: “Students felt like they were starting again and believed they had forgotten things on return.”

Regarding the issues about low morale, Sgt Wade said he was upset that the officers did not feel they could speak to him. 

He said: “I thought I had a good rapport with the entire team. 

“The team was driven to do the job well, and it did upset me that they didn’t come to us and speak to us.”

Regarding Anu’s death, Sgt Wade added: “I’m a passionate police sergeant and I’m deeply hurt by what’s gone on.”

The inquest, which is being heard before Senior Coroner for Manchester North, Joanne Kearsley, continues.