Death of David Oluwale

David Oluwale
DateApril 1969 (1969-04)
LocationLeeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
CauseDrowning
BurialKillingbeck Cemetery, Leeds
Accused
  • Inspector Geoffrey Ellerker
  • Sergeant Kenneth Kitching
Charges
VerdictBoth cleared of manslaughter, perjury and GBH by direction of the judge. Both found guilty of ABH.
Convictions
  • Ellerker: Three years' imprisonment
  • Kitching: 27 months' imprisonment
Blue plaque for David Oluwale (Leeds Civic Trust)

David Oluwale (1930–1969) was a British Nigerian who drowned in the River Aire in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, in 1969. The events leading to his drowning have been described as "the physical and psychological destruction of a homeless Black man, whose brutal and systematic harassment was orchestrated by the Leeds City Police Force."[1] Oluwale's death led to the first successful prosecution of British police officers for their involvement in the death of a Black person.[2][3] The legacy of his life, experiences, and death has shaped discussions on systemic racism within British legal institutions, police brutality and practices, inequality, and mental health policy. He has inspired artworks, been the subject of several books and documentaries, and is commemorated by a blue plaque in Leeds.[4]

  1. ^ Sim 2010, p. 158.
  2. ^ Athwal, Harmit (18 October 2010). "The racism that kills". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Remembering David Oluwale". The Justice Gap. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBC News-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).