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Taser death victim an ex-soldier with mental ill-health

A MAN who died after being Tasered by the police was identified yesterday as a former soldier suffering with mental health problems.

Spencer Beynon died on Tuesday after eyewitnesses reported seeing someone armed with a knife looking “totally out of it” on a street in Llanelli, south Wales.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating the incident, confirmed that a Taser had been used by officers called to the scene.

Local MP Nia Griffith and AM Lee Waters issued a statement saying: “We are both extremely concerned about reports of the police taser shooting incident in Llanelli, and would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the man who died.”

The Labour pair urged the IPCC to “do a thorough investigation as to exactly how and why this happened” and promised to pursue the matter “vigorously.”

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the force had referred the matter to the IPCC to carry out an independent investigation, with which the force was “fully co-operating.”

Mr Beynon had been involved in community organising since he returned from service in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007.

Local councillor Robert Davies said he had always found the veteran “very pleasant.”

He said: “I think he found it hard coming out of the army. So many of our soldiers who serve their country are forgotten about.“He was a very fit young man. I would see him going to the gym or out on his bike but he would always wave and say hello.”

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