Antony Miles Abbott · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 9th November 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Antony Miles Abbott, aged 36 years born the 25th September 1979. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 16th March 2017.

The conclusion of the Jury at the Inquest was that Antony Miles Abbott had died of:-

1a Hanging

The Jury further recorded the following conclusion:-

Misadventure

Antony’s death was contributed to by neglect. The failure to implement the recommendations of the May 2015 report on the Benidorm Police Station Custody Office was a significant factor in Antony’s death.

The jury found that Antony was arrested on the 23rd October 2015 and taken to Benidorm Police Station, Benidorm, Spain where he was placed in a cell. Antony was observed following being placed in the cell for a period of 18 minutes. Antony was found with a soft loose ligature around his neck which was tied to the cell door. There was no CCTV surveillance either directly within the cell or to the end of the corridor where the cell was located. There was also no audible means of attracting attention for example a buzzer within the cell. There was no observed officer presence for a period of 18 minutes as verified by the CCTV footage.

There had been a report in May 2015, provided by the Police Trade Union Representative, which contained significant recommendations including an additional surveillance camera at the far end of the corridor, repairing the existing sound apparatus systems in the cells, modification of the cell doors (removing bars), the holding area to be repositioned. In addition, as a minimum that there should be manned surveillance of the cells at all times, until the recommendations had been implemented. At the time of Antony’s death, there is no evidence that any of these recommendations had been implemented.

There was evidence to support that Antony was planning for life in the future. During the course of the previous evening, that led to his death there is evidence that there was nothing in his demeanour to suggest that Antony wasn’t looking forward to the future.

The Jury recorded the Matters of Concern which are described above in their Conclusion and in their findings as to the circumstances of the death. A copy of the Police Trade Union Federation Report to which the Jury refer is herewith together with a translated copy.

In addition evidence was given at the Inquest that whilst Custody Officers in Spain must be trained to administer first aid to detained persons, that training does not include training in the administration of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). These matters are reported in order that they can be brought to the attention of the relevant Authorities in Spain through the appropriate channels.