Wayne Spencer Malcolm Broad · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 6th December 2011 I opened an investigation into the death of Wayne Spencer Malcolm Broad, aged 51 years old. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 11th November 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was “Narrative verdict”, the medical case of death was ;1a hypoxic brain injury, 1b cardiorespiratory arrest, 1c seizure activity associated with alcohol withdrawal and under paragraph 2 chronic alcoholism.

Mr Broad was arrested on the 15th November 2011 at his home address, for failing to appear at St Albans Magistrates Court the day before.

Mr Broad was under the influence of alcohol when arrested and taken to Hatfield Police Station to appear the next day at Hatfield Remand Court. Mr Broad was under the influence of alcohol at the time of his arrest and the custody sergeant, when he was taken to Hatfield Police Station, recognised the need for Mr Broad to have medical attention, and taken into custody. Mr Broad was seen by a nurse and gave a history of heavy consumption of alcohol. The nurse took telephone advice from a doctor and medication was prescribed for Mr Broad to take.

The following morning Mr Broad was collected by SERCO officers but before being taken to court became unwell complaining of palpitations and chest pain and was taken by ambulance with SERCO to hospital.

Having been seen in hospital Mr Broad was returned to Hatfield Police Station but became unwell again. The magistrates bailed Mr Broad and he was taken by ambulance to Barnet Hospital where he was admitted.

Mr Ward was taken to a ward where later on in the evening he began to suffer from delirium tremens and having assaulted a member of staff and taken refuge behind a nursing station where he defended himself against all staff with a fire extinguisher until police arrived.

Mr Broad was arrested and remained under police guard. Mr Broad became more unwell and collapsed. Despite resuscitation Mr Broad suffered a hypoxic injury and sadly died on the 30th November 2011.

(1) That was no dedicated substance misuse team available to look after Mr Broad when he was in the custody suite at Hatfield Police Station, as there would have been had Mr Broad been detained in prison.

(2) Police are required to make risk assessments and have requirements when dealing with the handcuffing of seriously ill detainees. There should be alignment with particular regard to those who are seriously ill and in general SERCO policy should come into alignment with ACPO guidance on the use of handcuffs.

(3) Specially trained nursing staff should be available at hospitals for dealing with patients with substance misuse.