Joe Peter Robinson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 15ᵗʰ June 2020, I commenced an investigation into the death of Joe Peter Robinson. The investigation concluded on the 11ᵗʰ February 2021 and the conclusion was one of drug related death.

The medical cause of death was:
1a) combined drug toxicity.

In the early hours of 14th June 2020, Joe Peter Robinson became unwell and collapsed by the side of Ashton Canal near Cinderhall Farm. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The post mortem examination found he had died from a combination of MDMA and Ketamine.

The inquest heard that Joe Peter Robinson attended a large gathering with approximately 4,000 people in attendance. The gathering was not licensed and was in breach of the Coronavirus legislation. Alcohol and drugs were available and there were no first aid or paramedic facilities available on the site of the event. Social distancing was not followed.

The evidence before the inquest was that Greater Manchester Police became aware of the event but felt unable to prevent it from continuing. The inquest was told that at the time GMP did not have a clear plan to deal with such a situation. However, since this event at Daisy Nook and a similar one that same night also in South Manchester they have developed a robust plan and there have not been similar large scale illegal gatherings.

What was not clear from the inquest was whether the lessons learnt of the need for policing plans to prevent such events occurring and reduce the risk of future deaths occurring had been shared and embedded in other Force Areas.