AN INQUEST into the death of a man found dead in a Pontypool police cell was opened and adjourned today.

Lee Donovan, 23, died two weeks ago on after he was taken into police custody while on a night out in Newport.

Police had arrested him on suspicion of causing criminal damage and he was taken to Pontypool police station, as the cells in Newport Central are in the process of being refurbished.

But around 1am he was found collapsed in a police cell and was pronounced dead.

The Gwent deputy coroner, Wendy James opened an inquest into his death and adjourned it while further investigation is done.

In the meantime, Mr Donovan's body can finally be released to his family for burial.

Just this week, Mr Donovan's father, Mark, told the Argus that burying Lee was the main priority for the family now, to enable them to grieve him properly.

But the family is also determined to get answers about what happened the night Lee died.

Mark Donovan said: "We need to know what happened. There are so many questions."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the incident, and the family hopes to get an update from them within a week.

In the meantime, they are getting support from charity Inquest, which specialises in helping bereaved families of people who died in police custody.

Mr Donovan has paid tribute to his son on behalf of the family.

He said: "We will always remember Lee as a compassionate man with a wonderful sense of humour.

"He was a well mannered and polite lad and had a great love of life."

3:36pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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