Inmate died after ‘restraint-related' incident in prison, inquest hears
A home office doctor has warned jurors about the 'complex' restraint-related death of a father-of-four prisoner, an inquest heard.
Azroy Dawes-Clarke, 28, from Romford, east London, was an inmate at HMP Elmley, on the Isle of Sheppey, when he died after suffering multiple cardiac arrests on November 10 2021.
He is alleged to have attempted to commit suicide by suffocation before becoming violent and being 'restrained' by prison staff.
The medical cause of death has been given as hypoxic ischemic brain injury but it is unclear when and by whom that injury was caused.
On Wednesday, Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Olaf Biedrzycki told jurors at Kent and Medway Coroner's Court in Maidstone that medically, Mr Dawes-Clarke's case was 'about as difficult as it gets' for him.
He said: 'The cause of death is given as hypoxic ischemic brain injury that's due to either the fact that his heart or lungs stopped working … and that happened very quickly after a period of third-party restraint, which happened shortly after seizure-like activity, which was treated with Diazepam.
'That all followed compression of the neck with a ligature.'
There had been a previous incident where Mr Dawes-Clarke had attempted to self-harm or commit suicide two days before his death, the court heard.
Body-worn camera footage taken in HMP Elmley and shown in court showed four officers kneeling on and next to Mr Dawes-Clarke, who was face down on the floor prior to his first cardiac arrest.
He could be heard yelling repeatedly while restrained, until he was handcuffed and then went limp.
One officer was heard saying, 'Have we got a pulse on him? We're not sure if he's breathing, we're not sure', as Mr Dawes-Clarke lay on the floor.
Medical staff began CPR before he was taken to hospital, he suffered two more cardiac arrests in the ambulance and a fourth upon his arrival at hospital, where he died soon after.
Dr Biedrzycki added that the 'crux' of the inquest would be whether Mr Dawes-Clarke recovered between the suicide attempt and the restraint from prison officers.
'The restraint element is of greater importance if you conclude that the initial ligature compression did not actually cause him to be unconscious and fitting,' he added.
Mr Dawes-Clarke's alleged history of self-harm and suicide attempts whilst in prison was not known to the family; he also had several physical health conditions that required ongoing treatment, the court heard.
His mother, Marcia Neil, was indignant through tears as she told the court: 'Maybe if they'd phoned me, I could have helped!'
Reading a pen portrait, his sister, Shay Inico, said: 'My brother was more than just family; he was my anchor, my confidant, and my unwavering source of support. He was kind-hearted and compassionate, always putting the needs of others before his own.
'Losing him in such a senseless and cruel manner has completely shattered me. The thought of him being restrained, suffering and treated without dignity haunts me every single day.'
Father-of-four Mr Dawes-Clarke liked fantasy films and played semi-professional football, he was in the Arsenal FC academy while he was growing up.
'I share this statement because my brother's story deserves to be heard. He was a person full of love, kindness, and potential. He was not defined by his circumstances, and he deserved so much more than the injustice he faced. His life mattered, and his memory will forever remain in our hearts,' said Ms Inico.
On Wednesday, his mother, sister and uncle were in court to observe proceedings, and his brother appeared via video-link.
Mr Dawes-Clarke was recalled to HMP Elmley on April 23 2020 after breaching his license.
'Where restraint-related deaths do occur, they're invariably erroneously complex cases,' Dr Biedrzycki warned jurors.
He added: 'This is about as difficult as it gets for forensic pathologists, and I don't have all the answers.'
The inquest continues and is listed until July 11.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
33 minutes ago
- BBC News
Fire at former Blackpool club used in Robbie Williams video
Firefighters have been dealing with a blaze at a former working men's club in Blackpool once used in a music video for singer Robbie Williams. Pictures show smoke billowing from the Central Club on Kent Road, which had also been used by criminals to set up a £1m cannabis farm in 2021. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it believed the building was derelict. A spokesman said the service did not believe there were any injuries but had not yet been able to fully access the building to be certain. Eight fire engines attended the scene and used an aerial ladder platform and a water tower to bring the fire under control. The service said a "large smoke plume" had spread in the area and urged people close by who could see or smell the smoke to stay inside and keep windows Police also told people to avoid the area, particularly Seasiders Way, Kent Road and around South Shore. The Central Club featured in Williams' 2005 song Advertising Space and was a popular fixture in the seaside resort's club scene. However it has been closed for a number of years and was listed for sale at £300,000 in 2019. In 2021, Lancashire Police found 1,500 cannabis plants and growing equipment in the building and a man from London was arrested. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Experts reveal a handy tip for sleeping on hot nights – it won't cost you a thing and only takes seconds
AS the scorching weather continues across the UK, many people have been finding it difficult to sleep. And as weather experts now say the heatwave is reaching its peak, a handy hack will help make your bedroom feel more comfortable tonight. 2 Avoid another night of tossing and turning in a sweltering room with this completely free step. A sleep specialist has revealed that the position of your door can significantly affect your night's sleep. Choosing the perfect angle can help to reduce bedroom temperatures during heatwaves, helping you to sleep through the hot summer nights. Dr. Jordan Burns from AmeriSleep explained that the way bedroom doors are positioned affects airflow patterns within sleeping spaces. This creates a cooling cross-ventilation or can trap even heat, depending on the angle chosen. "Most people focus solely on windows for cooling, but bedroom doors control how air circulates throughout your sleeping space," Dr. Burns said. "A properly positioned door can make the difference between restful sleep and hours of uncomfortable tossing and turning." The expert recommended keeping bedroom doors fully open during daytime hours if the rest of the home is cooler, allowing for maximum air exchange between spaces. This approach works particularly well for rooms that receive direct sunlight. "When outside temperatures climb higher than those inside your home, keeping your bedroom door wide open allows cooler air from north-facing rooms to circulate throughout," he said. "This creates a natural current that pushes hot air up and out while drawing cooler air in from below." For night-time cooling, however, he suggested a more precise approach to door positioning. "The optimal angle for a bedroom door at night is approximately 45 degrees," Dr. Burns explained. "This specific position creates what fluid dynamics calls a 'venturi effect' that accelerates airflow through the narrower opening, pulling hot air out more efficiently than a fully open door would." The sleep specialist points out that most people make the common mistake of either leaving doors completely open or fully closed during hot weather. The best sleep routine and environment Thomas Høegh Reisenhus, TEMPUR® sleep specialist & sleep counsellor, reveals the key components of a good bedtime routine and environment... A sure-fire way to facilitate a better night's sleep is to practice good sleep hygiene. Establish a sleep routine that works for you and stick to it. This will help your body establish a consistent, natural sleep-wake cycle which can do wonders for your overall sleep quality. As such, try to avoid making up for lost sleep with a lie-in. Instead of sleeping in, spend your morning reading a book in bed or having a leisurely coffee in the kitchen. Ensure that your bedroom, bedding, and sleepwear are fit for purpose too. The ideal sleep environment is dark, quiet, and cool – much like a cave. If you find unwelcome sources of light are keeping you up, consider investing in an eye mask or black-out curtains. Adding soft furnishings can be a great way to reduce noise, with the surfaces having an absorptive quality, but if this doesn't work, consider embracing a soothing soundtrack to block it out. In terms of temperature, try to keep your bedroom at 18°C. You can further reduce the risk of waking up due to overheating by ensuring that all your bedding and sleepwear is made with natural, breathable materials such as cotton and linen. Bear in mind that everyone is different; what might work for most, may not work for you! Whilst knowing how much sleep you should get, how to overcome common barriers, and practicing good sleep hygiene can facilitate a great night's sleep, if you continue to struggle with sleep or fatigue persistently, do not hesitate to visit a doctor or health professional for support. "A completely open door actually slows down airflow in many cases because the opening is too large to create the pressure differentials that drive air movement," he said. "Conversely, a fully closed door prevents any air exchange, trapping heat and moisture that build up while you sleep." According to Dr. Burns, door positioning must work together with window management for maximum cooling effect. "If your windows and door create a straight-line path, you'll generate the strongest possible airflow through your bedroom," he said. "The ideal setup in UK homes is having your bedroom door at 45 degrees with windows open on the opposite wall, creating a direct pathway for air movement." The expert also stressed the importance of furniture placement in relation to door positioning. "Keep furniture at least 30 centimetres away from the door swing path," Dr. Burns advised. "Tall wardrobes or dressers near doors can block airflow and create stagnant air pockets where heat accumulates." 2 For flats and apartments where cross-ventilation options are limited, Dr. Burns recommends changing door positions throughout the day based on sun exposure and temperature variations. "In single-aspect flats, try keeping your bedroom door closed during the day if that room receives direct sunlight," he said. "Then open it to precisely 45 degrees at night when the rest of the flat has cooled down." He suggested a simple method to test if your door positioning is working effectively for bedroom cooling. "Place a lightweight ribbon or tissue near the gap between the door and frame," he advised. "If it moves toward the door, you're successfully drawing air through the room. "If it remains still or moves away, adjust your window and door configuration until you achieve proper airflow. "Good sleep remains possible during hot weather if you understand how to control airflow in your home. "Door positioning is a cost-free intervention that can improve your sleeping environment while reducing both energy costs and environmental impact compared to mechanical cooling options."
BBC News
38 minutes ago
- BBC News
Dorset hospital discharges improve, hears wellbeing board
Extended hospital stays for patients medically well enough to be discharged are improving, a county's health and wellbeing board has use of apps and partnership working have seen delayed stays shorten from more than 10 days to seven in some Dorset hospital settings - and from 30 to 20 days for people with more complex needs, it was told.A patient at Blandford Hospital, who had been on the wards for 100 days beyond the point she could medically be discharged, was now back home thanks to the efforts of four different teams, the Dorset Council committee was board was being updated on the progress of a council programme called Future Care. Councillors were told much of the success was down to staff in health, social services and social care who had "embraced change" and made the new methods work to the benefit of patients staying in hospital beds longer than they needed to, freeing the beds for more pressing programmes across the county are costing £9m, mainly paid for by NHS are estimated to deliver £36m in benefits up until 2029/2030, councillors Miller, vice chair of the board, said: "This programme is about making sure that as many as possible who go through our service have a really, really positive experience and it's also an experience that improves their health outcomes."Steve Robinson, the board's chair, said the new way of working was the "way it should be, different agencies coming together for the benefit of the patient".He said it was about "putting aside titles and saying 'what is best for this person?'." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
