Rashan Charles inquest: Grieving family must wait almost a year to find out truth about death of man who died after police chase

The family of Rashan Charles must wait almost a year for a full inquest into the death of the man who died after being chased by police in east London.

Rashan Charles, 20, died on July 22 having earlier been apprehended by Metropolitan Police officers after running into a shop in Dalston.

An inquest into Mr Charles’ death – which sparked riots on the streets of the capital – was opened today but authorities are waiting for test results before revealing a cause of death, his family were told.

CCTV appeared to show an officer struggling with Mr Charles on the shop floor, following an attempted vehicle stop moments before.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into his death has so far shown that, after he was detained, attempts were made to remove an object from his mouth or throat.

It was later revealed that a package removed from his throat contained a mixture of caffeine and paracetamol.

The inquest opening at Poplar Coroner's court on Wednesday heard that there had been two post mortems carried out on the unemployed man, who lived in South West London - the second on behalf of his family and the police.

But coroner's officer David Brereton told the hearing that "no medical cause of death has been offered at this time", pending the results of toxicology and other tests.

He added that the London Ambulance Service paramedic who took Mr Charles to hospital from the shop in Kingsland Road noted a "foreign body was found in his airway".

Mr Charles's father Esa, a great uncle and a family friend were in court for the brief hearing. They left without speaking to reporters.

Mr Charles's family had previously expressed concerns over the "openness and transparency" of the IPCC investigation into his death.

Mary Hassell, the senior coroner for Inner North London, said the full inquest would be held in front of a jury next June, and was likely to last "weeks rather than days".

She told Mr Charles relatives: "I'm sorry that seems a long way away - it is a long way away.

"But it is my experience that when the IPCC is investigating a death like this, it's impossible to have the inquest sooner."

The brief inquest came hours after police released images of three people following a protest over the young fathers' death.

Angry demonstrators took to the streets of Hackney just days after he died, chanting: "We want justice, justice for Rash."

But the Kingsland Road march escalated into violence, with demonstrators allegedly fighting with riot police, smashing windows, starting fires and hurling items at officers.

The Met are now appealing for information about two men and one woman who officers would like to speak with in connection with the disorder, which erupted during the afternoon of July 28.

Anyone with information about those pictured in the appeal is asked to call 0207 275 3632. Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Additional reporting by Press Association.