Hotel riot inmate struggled in jail, inquest told

A man who died in prison two months after being jailed for his part in disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers had previously tried to take his own life while on remand, a fellow inmate has told an inquest.

Peter Lynch, 61, died from hanging at HMP Moorland, Doncaster, on 19 October 2024 after being convicted of violent disorder during anti-immigration protests in Manvers, Rotherham, in August that year.

Before he was transferred to HMP Moorland, he was sent to HMP Doncaster where he shared a cell with Leonard Tyler.

In a statement read to the jury at Doncaster Coroner's Court earlier, Tyler said he felt he "had to look after" Lynch, because it was his first time in custody.

"He was a really nice, genuine guy but he was struggling with prison life," Tyler said.

The hearing was told Mr Lynch was arrested on 10 August in connection with disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express earlier that month, and was later sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Tyler said Lynch was worried about his family and concerned about what police may do while he was in prison. He described returning to their shared cell one day and finding Mr Lynch laying on the floor.

After fetching help, he said he came back to find him standing and insisting he was "fine". However, Tyler said he noticed a mark on Lynch's neck and what appeared to be evidence of a ligature.

When challenged, he said Lynch apologised and told him he had "tried to kill himself".

The witness said he did not report the incident to prison staff and also told the jury about a separate occasion when Lynch appeared to take a number of prescribed tablets, which later made him vomit.

Tyler said Lynch's son was being held in the same prison and had been shocked to learn what had happened. He believed Lynch did not want to share a cell with his son, because he was planning to end his life.

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Asked about support available to prisoners Tyler, said: "I don't think anything would have been done regardless," adding that mental health referrals could take weeks.

Giving evidence, Nicola Wraith, who manages healthcare provision at HMP Doncaster for Practice Plus Group, said no concerns about Lynch's mental health were raised during his time at the jail.

She said prison assessments identified physical health conditions, including a previous heart attack, ongoing cardiac problems and diabetes, but found "no evidence of any previous mental health issues".

She added: "There was nothing that gave us concern."

Wraith said any report of a suspected ligature incident would have triggered an automatic mental health assessment, and confirmed no referrals relating to self-harm were made while Lynch was at HMP Doncaster.

She said the prison was unaware Lynch had repeatedly answered police questions after his arrest by describing himself as "Peter, living man, son of Michael and Lily", behaviour Wraith agreed would have warranted further investigation.

The inquest continues.

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