Bobby Carmichael, a 79-year-old pensioner from Leicester, described his 15-hour detention as a "nightmare" after police arrested him on suspicion of murder. The arrest followed the discovery of a body in Castle Gardens, Leicester, on the evening of Thursday, May 7. The deceased was later confirmed to have died from natural causes.
Arrest and Detention
Mr Carmichael and a female companion were taken into custody after she found a man's body in a bush at around 8pm. Leicestershire Police cordoned off the park and launched a murder investigation. Both individuals were arrested on suspicion of murder. Mr Carmichael, from Beaumont Leys, spent 15 hours in a prison cell before being released without charge.
Discovery of the Body
Mr Carmichael explained that his companion had entered the park to search for a doll she believed she had lost the previous evening. While searching, she stumbled upon the body. Mr Carmichael waited in the car and advised her to call the police. They returned home and were watching television when officers arrived at their door.
"After about 9pm, the police came round. They took my friend away, and she never came back. I had a policeman here watching me, and then one of them came in and just said, 'Alright, let's go'," Mr Carmichael said.
Post-Mortem Findings
A post-mortem examination concluded that the man, in his 40s, had died following a suspected medical episode. The investigation was stood down on Friday, May 8, and both arrested individuals were released with no further action taken. Mr Carmichael later learned that the deceased was a former friend he had known for years through taxi driving in Leicester.
"I'd known him for a long time, but I didn't know it was him. He was a good friend, but we fell out. I was gutted when I found out who it was," he said.
Police Response and Apology
Mr Carmichael criticized the police response as "over the top" and expressed concern about the cordon at his property. He said: "The police apologised to me as I was picked up for nothing and locked up for the night. Fifteen hours. I just can't believe it. It's a disgrace."
Leicestershire Police confirmed that an inquiry would be carried out on behalf of HM Coroner. Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, the senior investigating officer, stated that the arrests were lawful under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, based on the information available at the time. She acknowledged the distress caused and noted that officers had spoken with those arrested to clarify the necessity of the measures.
