Hull prisoner did not intend to end his life, inquest rules

BBC News

13-05-2025

A prisoner found hanged in his cell did not intend to end his life, a jury has concluded.Andrew Winspear, 53, who was originally from Whitby, died at HMP Hull on 8 August 2023, hours after he had appeared in court via video link.The five-day inquest at Hull Coroners' Court heard medical staff at the prison had "no cause for concern" about Winspear in the weeks before his death and described how he had talked about his plans for the future.A jury, comprising six women and five men, ruled the death was the result of misadventure.
The court heard Winspear had been transferred to HMP Hull from from HMP Lincoln on 5 July 2023. He underwent a "reception screen" to assess his physical and mental health and whether he posed a risk of self-harm or suicide.Fiona Evans, the head of healthcare at HMP Hull and a nurse of more than 18 years, described Winspear as "calm" and said he "gave no cause for concern".Ms Evans also told the court she had been reassured after Winspear had a methadone prescription reviewed and was "actively looking" for help with drug and alcohol issues.Subsequent mental health checks showed the 53-year-old had a history of anxiety and depression and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder linked to childhood abuse.
Emergency alarm
On 8 August 2023, prison officers said Winspear appeared "agitated and upset". He climbed on to netting on a landing after refusing to join a queue.Winspear raised an emergency alarm after self-harming in his cell and had undergone treatment for his wounds, the officers reported.The self-harm incident was recorded and staff at the prison put a care plan in place to support him and "reduce further risk".Later that day, Winspear appeared at a court hearing via video-link and was then observed by officers seven times in a four-hour period. The jury foreman noted the checks had been carried out "more frequently than required" as she read out the verdict.Despite the checks, officers found Winspear slumped in his cell at 17:18 BST. After resuscitation attempts by officers and health staff, paramedics declared him dead at the scene less than an hour later.Following the verdict, Ian Sprakes, assistant coroner for Hull and the East Riding, thanked the jury for their service and extended his condolences to the family of Winspear for their loss.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.