Police officer 'did not chase teenager' later found dead at Whitchurch golf club

Tyrone Lock, 18, died from hypothermia after he fled on foot at Hill Valley Golf Club, in Whitchurch, in darkness on November 21 last year after claiming there were "demons" in his room.

A toxicology report revealed that he had ecstasy and other drugs in his system.

Giving evidence Pc Ryan Ford told the jury inquest being held at the Park Inn, Telford, that he waited for the dog unit to arrive as his scent might have confused the search effort.

Barrister Mr John Ryan, on behalf of Mr Lock's family, put to the officer that he could have used his torch to follow the teenager.

Pc Ford replied: "The dog was on the course and I didn't want to ruin any scent he might get.

"At that point I thought the dog was doing a good enough job."

"The dog goes for the last scent. I stopped a the point where Tyrone stepped on the grass to wait for the dog handler."

The hearing told that Mr Lock had taken ecstasy and other drugs and had checked in with friends Len Evans and Jodie Stevens.

Police officers Charlotte Sullivan and Pc Ford went to the premises off Tarporley Road when staff became concerned about their behaviour.

Both men fled separately on foot after the officers arrived at the hotel, but Mr Lock was found in a pond two days later despite a sniffer dog search.

Pc Ford, based at Market Drayton, told the hearing in Telford yesterday: "I approached and tried to explain to him why I was there.

"He ran off and I chased him up the drive. Near the accommodation building he cut across the golf course and into the darkness.

"I waited until the dog came and pointed them in the direction that he went.

"I remember him to be wearing burgundy boxers and nothing else. He seemed spaced out and wasn't talking."

Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin coroner, John Ellery, asked the officer if he was concerned about Mr Lock's safety.

Pc Ford replied: "Not at that point.

"Although he looked spaced out he ran perfectly straight. He was laughing and appeared to be quite a fit lad.

"Either he would be found by the dog or in a safe setting.

"At the moment when I saw him he didn't appear to be hallucinating and he wasn't foaming at the mouth."

He also told the hearing his request for a force helicopter to join the search was denied.

Area dog handler PC Ian Wills told the jury inquest that he searched the grounds for about 40 minutes using a headlamp and had got close to where the body was later found, but he did not see him.

He added that the conditions were windy and may explain why no aerial support was sent.

CCTV footage showed Mr Lock, of Leominster, running out of the hotel after being spoken to by the officers.

His body was found in a golf course pond by a greenkeeper on November 23.

Members of Mr Lock's family claim the police could have done more to look for him and that his life could have been saved if he had been found quicker.

The inquest continues.