A custody sergeant has told an inquest that a 61-year-old man who was found dead in his prison cell two months after being jailed for his involvement in disorder outside an asylum seeker hotel had behaved oddly following his arrest and refused to speak to police.
Discovery and arrest
Peter Lynch died by hanging at HMP Moorland in South Yorkshire on 19 October 2024, a jury at Doncaster Coroner's Court was informed on Monday. The court heard that Mr Lynch was arrested on 10 August 2024 in connection with the disorder that erupted in Manvers, Rotherham, earlier that month.
Custody sergeant's evidence
Providing evidence at the start of a two-week inquest into Mr Lynch's death, Sgt Ryan Handley confirmed that he had recorded Mr Lynch's behaviour as 'strange' while in the custody suite at Shepcote Lane Police Station in Sheffield, additionally noting that he had appeared confused. Sgt Handley revealed that Mr Lynch refused to give officers his surname, responding to every question posed to him by stating he was 'Peter, living man, son of Michael and Lily'. The officer further noted that the prisoner declined all offers of food and drink during his time on duty.
Missed opportunity for mental health referral
Sgt Handley acknowledged that, with the benefit of hindsight, he ought to have referred the prisoner to the liaison and diversion team, who specialise in addressing mental health concerns amongst detainees. When questioned by Doncaster's senior coroner, Nicola Mundy, as to whether he had identified any 'red flags' in Mr Lynch's behaviour, Sgt Handley stated that he had not. The officer was questioned by Richard Copnall, representing Mr Lynch's family, about whether it would have been 'sensible' to involve the liaison and diversion team. Sgt Handley responded: 'With hindsight, yes.'
Fitness for interview
However, the officer disagreed with Mr Copnall's suggestion that he should have considered Mr Lynch unfit for interview. He stated: 'I'm going to stick with my assessment that he was fit to be interviewed at that time.' Sgt Handley explained that Mr Lynch was examined by the healthcare team regarding the medication he brought to the police station, but not concerning his mental health. He acknowledged that there was no obligation for him to consult healthcare professionals when determining whether a prisoner was fit to be interviewed, noting he made such assessments 10 to 20 times daily for those in custody.
Pathologist's findings
Previously, histopathologist Laszlo Karsai informed the jury that Mr Lynch died by hanging. Dr Karsai indicated that the fact prison officers discovered his body rigid and cold suggested he had likely been deceased for at least two to three hours before being found. The pathologist noted there were traces of medication in Mr Lynch's body consistent with his documented medical history of heart disease and diabetes, though these conditions did not contribute to his death.
Far-right flag found at home
The coroner presented a statement from another police officer describing how a flag was discovered in Mr Lynch's home 'that could be be linked to far right ideology'. The inquest was adjourned and will resume on Tuesday.
