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The mother of a teenager who took her own life after being held in police custody has welcomed Home Office plans to stop 17-year-olds being kept overnight in police custody.

Currently, 17-year-olds who have been arrested and refused bail, have on occasion been kept in adult detention facilities for up to three nights.

After the law amendment, which is expected in spring 2015, they will be treated in the same way as 15 and 16 year olds - and moved to secure local authority accommodation, if they are arrested

Martina Brincat's daughter Kesia (pictured) was accused of causing criminal damage and possessing cannabis, and was held by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for three nights and two days.

A few hours after being released, she took her own life.
Ms Brincat said she was "incredibly pleased" at the law change, but felt "tinged with sadness" that it came too late for her daughter.

GMP said they could not comment on Kesia's case due to an ongoing IPCC investigation, but at the time they were bound by current law which did not allow 17-year-olds to be held in local authority accommodation.

This clip is originally from 5 live Daily on November 10 2014.

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