PC Paul Briggs: Life support treatment 'should stop' for officer injured in motorbike crash, judge rules

'We did it for Paul to honour his wishes,' his wife says

File photo of Paul Briggs, with his wife Lindsey and daughter Ella (Family handout/PA Wire )

A Merseyside police officer left in a coma after a motorbike crash while he was on duty should be taken off life support, a judge has ruled.

Paul Briggs, 43, suffered a severe brain injury in July 2015 and was “artificially kept alive by medical intervention from the outset,” according to his wife, Lindsey Briggs. She said he would have wanted the treatment to end.

He will now be moved to a palliative care regime at a hospice.

Mr Justice Charles announced his decision on Tuesday after analysing evidence heard a few weeks ago at the Court of Protection in Manchester - where judgements relating to people who lack the mental capacity to take decisions are made.

Doctors at the Walton Centre in Liverpool had urged the judge to be cautious. A specialist said there was "potential" for Mr Briggs to emerge from a minimally conscious state.

But Mrs Briggs told Mr Justice Charles that her husband should be allowed to die - and would have wanted life-sustaining treatment to end.

"The court case was the hardest thing we have ever had to do but we did it for Paul to honour his wishes," she said after the hearing. "We are grateful that Mr Justice Charles has shown compassion towards Paul, has respected his wishes and values and has understood what Paul would have wanted.

"He has been able to place himself in Paul's situation, and for that we will be forever thankful."

She added that the past 18 months had been "extremely distressing and traumatic".

"All our lives have been turned upside down," she said. "We have been living in darkness and despair - from when Paul had the crash in the first place, through all the uncertainty, having to watch him suffer and be in pain, and all the endless procedures and complications. Paul has been artificially kept alive by medical intervention from the outset.

She added: "Paul was such a selfless, kind and charitable person. He dedicated his career and his life to serving others and protecting the public with commitment, vigour and sheer enthusiasm, both on and off duty.

"We know that he would have wanted us to pursue this case for him."

After receiving the judgement, she said the family was "relieved for Paul.

She added: "We accepted this decision and began to come to terms that Paul would finally be free from pain and suffering and that we could find peace at Christmas time knowing this."