Photographer jumped to his death from balcony in Kilburn while in police handcuffs, inquest hears

A photographer plunged to his death from a balcony in Kilburn while in police handcuffs after he was denied access to urgent mental health treatment, an inquest heard today.

Tobias Terpilowski-Gill, 26, fell from the balcony of his mother’s home in Ryde House in Priory Park Road, on December 21 last year and died two days later from acute head injuries.

North London Coroner’s Court heard police had been called by Mr Terpilowski-Gill’s girlfriend Jessica Knight who said he was having a manic episode.

He had admitted to his family he was in a ‘state of crisis’ and sought help three days before the fall, but was told he would have to wait three-and-a-half weeks for an assessment.

Coroner Dr Andrew Walker said: “While the police were dealing with this incident three further people arrived, one carrying nunchucks, shortly after their arrival Mr Terpilowski-Gill jumped from the balcony.”

Psychotherapist Beate Schumacher recommended he attend the Brent Assessment and Brief Treatment Team (ABTT), which acts as a ‘pathway’ into north London’s mental health services.

But Sam Jacobs, representing Mr Terpilowski-Gill’s family, said he was denied urgent treatment after being told he must return to his GP before he could be re-referred to the ABTT.

The post mortem found Mr Terpilowski-Gill had self-harm scars as well as recent injuries to his knuckles that could have been sustained during a struggle or caused by the fall.

He had traces of diazepam and anti-psychotic drug olanzapine and high levels of cocaine in his system and may have been experiencing the effects of class A drugs at the time of his death, jurors were told.

He also had high levels of alcohol in his blood.

He had no injuries which would indicate inappropriate use of force during restraint, the court heard.

The inquest continues.