PFD report

Ellie Mae Knowles · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 18 Jul 2018•Newcastle upon Tyne

Summary Report text Evidence

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report

Concerns: 9
Recipients: 2
Responses found: 0
Stated actions: 0

Recipients and published responses

Hoults Limited

Addressed to: Mr Charles Hoult, Director of Hoults Ltd.No response found Nbhd Group Limited

Addressed to: Neil Bainbridge, Director of Shindig Events Ltd.No response found

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

Open published report

Explains the investigation, the inquest, the evidence considered and the coroner’s conclusion.

Describes the events and care leading up to the death.

Sets out risks the coroner believes could cause future deaths unless action is taken.

Investigation and inquest

On the 9 November 2016, I commenced an Investigation into the death of Ellie Mae Knowles.

The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 3 July 2018.

The conclusion of the Inquest was Misadventure.

Circumstances of the death

On the 5 November 2016, Ms Knowles attended a Dance Music event, organised by Shindig Events Ltd, within Warehouse 34, Hoults Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne. The Yard and Warehouse is owned by Hoults Ltd. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is acknowledged to be used in association with and at Dance Music Events.

Entry to the event was by ticket only. At the point of entry, ticket holders were subjected to limited search. No female staff were onsite to effect searches of female ticket holders.

Ms Knowles entered the event with a quantity of MDMA in her possession which she consumed within the main dance floor of Warehouse 34. Many other ticket holders including Ms Knowles boyfriend and other friends used MDMA and/or other controlled substances.

Ms Knowles became unwell and was assisted to the first aid area.

One qualified first aider (Level 3, Emergency Care Assistant) was in attendance. Ms Knowles was assessed, the seriousness of her condition identified and emergency assistance called. She later died due to Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Toxicity.

Shindig Events Ltd subcontracted responsibility for provision of first aid and security requirements for the event. No written record of the assessment of Ms Knowles and action by the Emergency Care Assistant was retained.

No records of attending security staff and their requisite licence to operate was kept.

No written guidance on required search procedures or upon seizure of items including controlled drugs, following such search was given.

Coroner’s concerns

Although evidence was given on behalf of Hoults Ltd that no further similar events are to be held within Warehouse 34, Hoults Yard, a licence permitting such events in the future remains in force.

(1) That Hoults Ltd should establish a robust internal protocol requiring consultation with Northumbria Police Licensing Officer, Newcastle City Council Licensing Officer and all other appropriate stakeholders as a precondition to the planning and holding of similar dance music events within their premises at any future time.

Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Report evidence summary

Concerns raised9

Lack of written guidance on safe storage of items seized during searches
Lack of written guidance on the required extent of searches of ticket holders by security staff
Part of recurring concern: Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events
Licence permitting future similar events within Warehouse 34

Lack of written guidance on scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff
Part of recurring concern: Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events
Lack of written guidance on robust recording of items seized during searches
Part of recurring concern: Unreliable recording of security-search outcomes Part of recurring concern: Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events
Lack of written guidance on the required numbers of security staff at dance music events
Part of recurring concern: Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events
Lack of a robust internal consultation protocol for planning and holding similar dance music events
Part of recurring concern: Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events
Lack of written guidance on robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken
Part of recurring concern: Incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable clinical and care records Part of recurring concern: Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events
Lack of written guidance on the numbers and qualifications of first aid staff at dance music events
Part of recurring concern: Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events

Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

No linked response statements

No respondent-stated action or position is clearly linked to these concerns.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of written guidance on safe storage of items seized during searches

Wider context from the report

“Although oral evidence of remedial action and change in practice was provided by Shindig Events Ltd, the Coroner remained concerned as detailed below: (1) No evidence was provided of written guidance/direction for Shindig Events Ltd employees and/or those with whom they subcontract of standards required in respect of: a. Numbers and qualifications of first aid staff to be provided at dance music events b. Robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken c. Numbers of security staff required at dance music events d. Scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff e. Extent of search of ticket holders required to be undertaken by security staff f. Robust system for recording items (including controlled drugs) seized at search and safe storage of those items ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of written guidance on the required extent of searches of ticket holders by security staff

Wider context from the report

“Although oral evidence of remedial action and change in practice was provided by Shindig Events Ltd, the Coroner remained concerned as detailed below: (1) No evidence was provided of written guidance/direction for Shindig Events Ltd employees and/or those with whom they subcontract of standards required in respect of: a. Numbers and qualifications of first aid staff to be provided at dance music events b. Robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken c. Numbers of security staff required at dance music events d. Scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff e. Extent of search of ticket holders required to be undertaken by security staff f. Robust system for recording items (including controlled drugs) seized at search and safe storage of those items ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Licence permitting future similar events within Warehouse 34

Wider context from the report

“Although evidence was given on behalf of Hoults Ltd that no further similar events are to be held within Warehouse 34, Hoults Yard, a licence permitting such events in the future remains in force. (1) That Hoults Ltd should establish a robust internal protocol requiring consultation with Northumbria Police Licensing Officer, Newcastle City Council Licensing Officer and all other appropriate stakeholders as a precondition to the planning and holding of similar dance music events within their premises at any future time. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of written guidance on scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff

Wider context from the report

“Although oral evidence of remedial action and change in practice was provided by Shindig Events Ltd, the Coroner remained concerned as detailed below: (1) No evidence was provided of written guidance/direction for Shindig Events Ltd employees and/or those with whom they subcontract of standards required in respect of: a. Numbers and qualifications of first aid staff to be provided at dance music events b. Robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken c. Numbers of security staff required at dance music events d. Scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff e. Extent of search of ticket holders required to be undertaken by security staff f. Robust system for recording items (including controlled drugs) seized at search and safe storage of those items ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of written guidance on robust recording of items seized during searches

Wider context from the report

“Although oral evidence of remedial action and change in practice was provided by Shindig Events Ltd, the Coroner remained concerned as detailed below: (1) No evidence was provided of written guidance/direction for Shindig Events Ltd employees and/or those with whom they subcontract of standards required in respect of: a. Numbers and qualifications of first aid staff to be provided at dance music events b. Robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken c. Numbers of security staff required at dance music events d. Scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff e. Extent of search of ticket holders required to be undertaken by security staff f. Robust system for recording items (including controlled drugs) seized at search and safe storage of those items ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable recording of security-search outcomes; Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of written guidance on the required numbers of security staff at dance music events

Wider context from the report

“Although oral evidence of remedial action and change in practice was provided by Shindig Events Ltd, the Coroner remained concerned as detailed below: (1) No evidence was provided of written guidance/direction for Shindig Events Ltd employees and/or those with whom they subcontract of standards required in respect of: a. Numbers and qualifications of first aid staff to be provided at dance music events b. Robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken c. Numbers of security staff required at dance music events d. Scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff e. Extent of search of ticket holders required to be undertaken by security staff f. Robust system for recording items (including controlled drugs) seized at search and safe storage of those items ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of a robust internal consultation protocol for planning and holding similar dance music events

Wider context from the report

“Although evidence was given on behalf of Hoults Ltd that no further similar events are to be held within Warehouse 34, Hoults Yard, a licence permitting such events in the future remains in force. (1) That Hoults Ltd should establish a robust internal protocol requiring consultation with Northumbria Police Licensing Officer, Newcastle City Council Licensing Officer and all other appropriate stakeholders as a precondition to the planning and holding of similar dance music events within their premises at any future time. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of written guidance on robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken

Wider context from the report

“Although oral evidence of remedial action and change in practice was provided by Shindig Events Ltd, the Coroner remained concerned as detailed below: (1) No evidence was provided of written guidance/direction for Shindig Events Ltd employees and/or those with whom they subcontract of standards required in respect of: a. Numbers and qualifications of first aid staff to be provided at dance music events b. Robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken c. Numbers of security staff required at dance music events d. Scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff e. Extent of search of ticket holders required to be undertaken by security staff f. Robust system for recording items (including controlled drugs) seized at search and safe storage of those items ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable clinical and care records; Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of written guidance on the numbers and qualifications of first aid staff at dance music events

Wider context from the report

“Although oral evidence of remedial action and change in practice was provided by Shindig Events Ltd, the Coroner remained concerned as detailed below: (1) No evidence was provided of written guidance/direction for Shindig Events Ltd employees and/or those with whom they subcontract of standards required in respect of: a. Numbers and qualifications of first aid staff to be provided at dance music events b. Robust recording by first aid staff of patients attended and action taken c. Numbers of security staff required at dance music events d. Scrutiny of the licence to operate status of security staff e. Extent of search of ticket holders required to be undertaken by security staff f. Robust system for recording items (including controlled drugs) seized at search and safe storage of those items ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable safety planning for organised dance music events.

Open source report

Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Official responses located: 0/2

Data last updated 7 September 2026

No official response is included in the current published snapshot.