19 January 201015 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Family hope inquest will end prison murders

originally published by: The Independent
17th January 2010

Just one day after Michael Clegg was discharged from a psychiatric hospital, he found himself in Leeds prison. Mr Clegg, 48, a mechanical engineer with no previous criminal record, was remanded in custody for an alleged assault on his wife because no place was available in a suitable probation hostel.

The vulnerable father-of-three was shocked but thought he would have to wait only a few days to be reunited with his family. Less than two weeks later, he was dead.

15 January 201015 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Custody death man ‘could not breathe’

originally published by: BBC News
11th January 2010

A cocaine addict who died in custody told officers “you’re killing me” as he was arrested at his girlfriend’s south-east London home, an inquest has heard.

Paul Coker, 32, died at Plumstead police station, two hours after he was arrested at Lucy Chadwick’s house for breaching the peace on 6 August 2005. Mr Coker had shouted “I can’t breathe, you’re killing me”, Ms Chadwick told Southwark Coroner’s Court. A jury will decide if police followed correct detention procedures. The court heard Mr Coker became unwell and collapsed after being transported to cells.

13 January 201015 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Bristol Prison ‘failed’ suicidal prisoner

originally published by: The BBC
11th January 2010

An inquest jury has said that management procedures at Bristol Prison were “seriously flawed”, after hearing how a man hanged himself at the jail.

Stephen Bartman, 26, was found hanging from a sheet, nine hours after being admitted to the prison in May 2008. The hearing at Flax Bourton heard that a report that Bartman was a suicide risk was ignored by the prison staff.

Deputy Coroner Brian Whitehouse said he would write to the prison’s governor to recommend procedures were tightened. The court heard that on the day he died, Bartman, of Jacob’s Wells Road, Bristol, had been sentenced to 27 months for perjury.