Mark Saunders had been battling a long-term drink problem A barrister had been drinking heavily in the hours before he was shot dead by police during a stand-off, Westminster Coroner’s Court has heard.
Mark Saunders, 32, was three times over the drink-drive limit when he was hit in the head and chest by five police bullets at his Chelsea home in 2008.
Dr Stephen Morley told the inquest the level of alcohol would have had a “significant” effect on his behaviour.
He had regularly taken cocaine in the last months of his life, tests showed.
The court heard Mr Saunders had been battling a binge drinking problem for several years.
Toxicology tests revealed he had up to 225mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit for driving in 80mg.
Colleague and close friend Michael Bradley described hearing the first shot fired while having a “meandering” telephone conversation with Mr Saunders.
He said it was difficult to understand Mr Saunders who was “deep in drink” and slurring his words.
“The phrase I remember was ‘shooting out the window’,” Mr Bradley told the inquest.
“Very shortly after that there was a bang and immediately after the bang the phone went dead.
Mark Saunders’ family say he had posed no risk to the public “There was not even a second. It was almost instantaneous.”
Concerned for his friend’s safety he called him back but it went to answer phone.
Mr Bradley then sent a text saying ‘Call me now. If you do not call me immediately or in the next five minutes I will call the police’.
After dialling 999, Mr Bradley went to Chelsea where he met Mr Saunders’ wife Elizabeth.
As the police operation unfolded, Mr Bradley said that despite repeatedly asking if they could go to the house and speak to Mr Saunders they were told they could not for their own safety.
He said the response from one officer was “instant and negative” and there was no discussion as police were in charge and they were “not being given an option”.
Dr Morley, who carried out toxicology tests on Mr Saunders, told the inquest the level of alcohol in Mr Saunders’ blood compared to that of a “Saturday drunk”.
When asked how someone who had consumed that amount of alcohol would act he said: “They are likely to be very drunk and may not have complete control of all their faculties.”
Tests on his hair and urine showed he had repeatedly taken cocaine in the six months leading up to his death but not within 12 hours of the shooting.
Police were called to his home in Markham Square after neighbours saw him firing a shotgun into a neighbouring flat.
The officers maintain they were firing in self-defence, or to protect others.
None of them is to be prosecuted, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.
Mr Saunders’ family maintain he presented no risk to the public.
The hearing continues.
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