Clinton McCurbin

‘I think about how cruel and disgraceful what happened was’ – Mother of Clinton McCurbin

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source: Express & Star
first published: 17 September 2025
Image Credit: McCurbin Family

The mother of a Wolverhampton man who died in police custody nearly 40 years ago said that her faith had helped her to deal with the memories, but there was still anger and disappointment at what had happened to her son [Clinton McCurbin].

Esther McCurbin was one of the guests of honour at the “STOP! We Are Not the Police” conference at Wolverhampton Science Park on Tuesday (September 16), where it was officially announced that a campaign had been launched to acquire a new plaque to mark the 40th anniversary of her son Clinton’s death.

The 24-year-old died from asphyxia when police officers tried to arrest him in full view of passing shoppers inside the glass-fronted former Next store in Dudley Street in Wolverhampton on February 20, 1987, after unproven allegations that a credit card had been stolen.

Ms McCurbin said that while faith helped her to deal with the death of her son, she was still angry at the circumstances behind his death, including no official apology, no public memorial, and no meaningful acknowledgement of his loss.

She said: “The memories of that day are not as strong now because I’m a Christian and I’ve learned to deal with certain things that I cannot fix and God was able to do the best for me and others, although when his birthday comes around, I do remember that.”

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