Philip Simms, instructed by Kamrun Haque and Judith Sabel of the Government Legal Department, recently represented the Ministry of Justice at the inquest touching upon the death of Paul Anthony Coughlan. Mr Coughlan was found hanged in his cell at HMP Bristol on 16 May 2023, where he was on remand, having only been in custody for eight days.
The inquest was held over five days before HM's Assistant Coroner Mr Robert Sowersby sitting with a jury. Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights was engaged. Eight members of prison staff gave oral evidence during which it was accepted that Mr Coughlan's history of suicide and self-harm attempts and ideation were not always recorded.
The jury returned a conclusion of suicide and found that there had been some insufficient documentation but Mr Coughlan did have adequate support in prison so these failings did not probably or possibly contribute to his death.
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