Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2013

Damion Anthony Andre Martin

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2013-0280, written 30 Oct 2013. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report30 Oct 2013
Reference2013-0280
DeceasedDamion Anthony Andre Martin
CoronerMartin Fleming
Coroner areaLiverpool
CategoryState Custody related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text recovered by OCR from a scanned PDF. OCR is imperfect: check anything you rely on against the source PDF. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

IN THE LIVERPOOLCORONER’S COURT
IN THE MATTER OF:

The Inquest Touching the Death of Damion Anthony Andre Martin
A Regulation 28 Report — Action to Prevent Future Deaths

[ THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

Chief Executive

Offender safety, Rights and Responsibilities Group
NOMS

Clive House

Post Point4.11

4 Floor

70 Petty France

London

SW1H 9EX

1 | CORONER

Martin Fleming Assistant Coroner for Liverpool

2 | CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS

I make this report under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 paragraph 7,
schedule 5 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations)
Regulations 2013.

3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 13/12/2011 Mr Andre Rebello, HM Coroner for Liverpool, opened the
inquest into the death of Damion Anthony Andre Martin, who at the date
his death was 36 years old. The inquest was resumed and concluded on
23/10/2013 before a jury.

The jury found the cause of death to be:

la — Hanging

RT3589 1

The jury concluded by finding that Damion Anthony Andre Martin took
his own life.

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Liverpool Magistrates remanded Damion Anthony Andre Martin in
custody to HMP Liverpool on 6/12/11 for alleged offences of Common
Assault and Witness intimidation against his partner. Upon
transfer to the prison, Mr Martin undertook initial reception and medical
examination and cell share risk assessment, where it was identified that
he was a first time prisoner, before being placed in cell 5, landing 4 on G
wing with cell mate]. Mr Martin’s cell was visited several
times during the role check at approximately 5.15am 11/12/11 by a prison
officer. A prison officer did not further visit Mr Martin’s cell during the
subsequent roll check at 6.15am. Subsequently at 8.25am Mr Martin was
found hanging in the w.c. area of cell 5 from a ligature made from
bedding attached to the air vent above the window. Although he was cut
down attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful and he was found to
have died.

5 | CORONER’S CONCERNS
During the inquest the following concerns were highlighted by the
evidence: -

e During the initial prison reception and risk assessment, the
domestic nature of Mr Martin’s alleged charges of Common
Assault and Witness Intimidation against his girl friend were not
identified, notwithstanding it was considered to be a known
suicidal risk factor.

¢ The first prison officer to respond to Mr Martin did not commence
CPR sine he felt out of date with his first aid. This raised concerns
that there is no refresher training or a cycle of refresher training in
basic life support.

¢ The observation window to the w.c. area of cell 5 had a restricted
view which did not extend to the area of the w.c. Mr Martin was
found hanging.

¢ Notwithstanding documentation to the contrary, a prison officer
upon his roll check at approximately 5.15am did not visit Mr
Martin’s cell.

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I would ask that you give consideration to these above concerns.

6 | ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I
believe that Mr John Illingworth, Governor to HMP Liverpool has the
power take such action.

7 | YOUR RESPONSE
You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of its date; I
may extend that period on request. ;

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be
taken, setting out the timetable for such action. Otherwise you must
explain why no action is proposed.

|

8 | COPIES

e

Chief Coroner

Lord Chancellor

e Coroners Society of England and Wales
MEE Senior Investigator PPO
Lp

i

7

‘i

:-

.

7

o HE Chief Executive NOMS

« HR “hief Inspector of Prisons
NHS (Merseyside)

9 | Signed: Mr Martin Fleming

A
DATED this 30% October 2013

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