Failings contributed to three killings in Exeter, jury finds
In its conclusions, the jury found shortcomings by police and healthcare professionals employed by Devon County Council, Devon Partnership Trust and G4S probably contributed to the deaths. In the...
In its conclusions, the jury found shortcomings by police and healthcare professionals employed by Devon County Council, Devon Partnership Trust and G4S probably contributed to the deaths.
In the case of Devon and Cornwall Police, the jury said there had been “broad shortcomings in police information gathering, sharing and recording”.
Jurors said the failure to record the call from Lewis-Ranwell’s mother was a “serious failing that probably made a more than minimal contribution to the deaths”.
Other issues with Devon and Cornwall Police included:
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An over-reliance on oral rather than written handovers
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Not looking at details on the Police National Computer
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Not pursuing Lewis-Ranwell’s mental health records
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The failure to understand S136 of the MHA, which gives officers emergency powers to detain a person if they appear to have a mental disorder and need immediate care or control
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The failure to detain Lewis-Ranwell on 10 February under S136 of the MHA
Jurors concluded there had been “systemic failures of both Devon County Council and Devon Partnership Trust” relating to the policies and practices around referring detainees for MHA assessments.
The jury found Pichiu had a “fundamental misunderstanding on how to conduct a mental state examination” and had dismissed signs of delusion and disordered thinking before concluding Lewis-Ranwell did not require a MHA assessment.
They found Pichiu did not meet the requirements for the role of forensic medical examiner and in recruiting him “there was significant evidence of a complete disregard by G4S” of their policies “and thus patient safety”.
G4S Health Services no longer operates. A G4S spokesperson said: “We offer our condolences to the families affected by these tragic events.”
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