Correction: A previous version of this article referred to Simon Boyle as being a 'grandad'. This was incorrect and we would like to apologise for this error.
A family has paid tribute to a Holme House prisoner originally from Newcastle who was found dead in his cell with a 'wrap of tablets inside his body', as his inquest concludes.
Simon Boyle was found unconscious in his cell on December 2, 2018, and died after taking prescribed and non-prescribed drugs - the combination of which proved fatal. He was serving a five-year sentence at the prison in Stockton for brandishing a sawn-off shotgun during a garage raid.
The 31-year-old told another prisoner he was 'off his face all the time', and that substances were 'chocka'. His uncle Richard Boyle - who was also his cellmate - also fell into a coma after the incident and said his nephew was involved in the sale and distribution of drugs, Teesside Live reports.
He told how the pair had taken drugs the evening before the fatal incident. He also claimed that the drugs were supplied by a prison officer however, this claim was not proven during the inquest which rule that Mr Boyle's death was drug related.
The dad's inquest concluded at Teesside Coroner's Court on Thursday. Assistant coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool Karin Welsh told the jury that the evidence heard on a number of issues does not support findings that it caused or contributed to Mr Boyle’s death.
These include matters after death including when Mr Boyle was found deceased in his cell, that a ‘code blue’ was not used and the reaction of medical staff when alerted; the lack of documentary evidence of when Mr Boyle was perceived to be under the influence when collecting methadone on October 25, 2018; and Holme House’s response to suggestions of Mr Boyle being in possession of, or dealing drugs.
The Middlesbrough inquest previously heard that a post mortem examination, conducted at James Cook University Hospital , found a number of drugs in his system, including a wrap containing 23 tablets inside his body which were believed to be subutex or buprenorphine.
However, coroner Welsh stated that the subutex was ‘not implicated in death’ and no fingerprints were found on the wrapper to assist how the substance got into the prison. Mr Boyle’s medical cause of death was ruled as the effects of combination of methadone and alprazolam.
Before the jury retired to consider their verdict, the inquest heard from Mr Boyle’s family. His mother told how is ‘greatly missed’ by his family including his children, sister and loving partner Rochelle since his tragic death.
Mr Boyle was born in Newcastle but spent time in Cowgate at his nana and grandad’s house. He was described as ‘full of character and a bit of a joker’ who ‘mixed well with other children’.
However, Mr Boyle was ‘challenging’ growing up, ‘finding it hard to fit in’ and was bullied. His mother stated that he was ‘easily led’ and started to get in trouble with the police.
She hoped that he would ‘settle down’ when he found out he was going to become a father, however, he was ‘led astray’. The inquest heard how Mr Boyle ‘cried out for help with mental health’ but didn’t receive the help he needed.
Mr Boyle’s daughters also paid tribute stating how they ‘miss him so much’ and his death was a ‘very big shock’ as ‘nothing prepares you for losing a parent at such a young age’. They added that he is ‘going to miss the most important things’ in their lives as well as having the opportunity to ‘walk us down the aisle’.
“We truly miss him so much,” they added.
The inquest previously heard the inmate was on a methadone programme in prison and was getting help from the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Team (DART). Despite this, it was claimed Boyle was caught with Spice - a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids - a month prior to his death on November 1.
He tested positive on an eye-scanning drug test and when confronted handed over a package. He then told a prison officer he 'would have made £700 pound from the stash' and 'certain tablets were going for £50 each'. He also claimed that 'steroids were in high demand' in Holme House.
Mr Boyle’s cell was searched on two occasions leading up to his death following ‘intelligence’ on October 17, 2018, and November 1, 2018. Coroner Welsh stated that ‘adjudications and punishments’ followed the searches - and no further intelligence was received following this date.
The inquest also heard that during a sentencing hearing in September, he told a Durham Prison inmate Holme House was 'class'. When he thought a dock officer was out of the room, he allegedly referenced drugs, saying: "It's class here, it's chocka.
"[Name of prisoner] has loads of it you need to get yourself here." He also mentioned being 'off his face all the time'.
On another occasion, there were reports a day prior to his death, that CCTV picked up on a male visitor who placed his hand in his waistband and passed an article to Mr Boyle who was seen placing it in his own trousers. However, the visitor denied supplying drugs.
On the day of his death, a prison officer raised the alarm after seeing Mr Boyle unconscious. The inmate's uncle Richard Boyle also fell into a coma after the incident but has since made a recovery.
Giving evidence at the inquest, former clinical lead at G4S Health Services, Suzanne Birbeck, confirmed healthcare procedures at the prison were not followed. She had no direct involvement with Mr Boyle but said at the time of his death the senior nurse failed to bring an emergency bag to the cell because it was 'too heavy'.
Ms Birbeck said the reason was unacceptable and said since his death prisons have introduced emergency grab bags in wings and made oxygen easily accessible.
The jury concluded that Simon Boyle died at Holme House Prison due to the consumption of prescribed and nonprescribed substances which proved to be fatal. They added that Mr Boyle, who suffered with substance misuse, was prescribed methadone and directed to services which he didn't fully engage with.
Coroner Welsh thanked Mr Boyle's family for attending the three-day inquest stating that it was 'not easy to sit and listen to'. She passed on her condolences to the family of the the 'much loved' son, partner and father.
Following the inquest, a spokesperson for HM Prison and Probation Service said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Boyle’s family and friends. We will carefully consider the inquest’s findings and respond in due course.
"Drug finds have fallen by half at HMP Holme House in the last four years, where they have benefited from the £125m investment to bolster prison security across the country."
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