A man who was arrested for stealing Greggs sausage rolls killed himself after being mistakenly described by police as a paedophile, an inquest has heard.
Brian Temple, 34, from Redcar killed himself on New Year’s Eve in 2017 almost seven months after the alleged theft of a packet of Greggs snacks, Teesside coroner’s court was told, according to TeessideLive.
When he was let out of custody, Temple’s release papers wrongly stated that he had been suspected of inciting sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl.
Temple did not know of the error when he gave the papers to his then girlfriend, the court heard. When she then began spreading the incorrect information, Temple was subjected to verbal and physical abuse and his home was attacked, the court heard.
He also reported threats and assaults to the police, the court heard. But visits by police welfare officers to Temple’s home only fuelled unfounded suspicions about him, the court was told.
After the attacks Temple turned to drink and drugs. Coroner Claire Bailey cited a toxicology report conducted after Temple’s death which found quantities of alcohol in his system, and traces of cocaine, anti-anxiety drugs and a sleeping pill.
His body was found by his brother Paul, after the family became concerned that they had not heard from him for a day.
The court was read statements from members of his family, including his mother who has since died. She had described her son as “happy go lucky” before she said the incorrect release papers prompted depression.
In his statement, his brother said Temple never showed any suicidal tendencies. Paul Temple said the mistake on the release sheet “would drive anyone mad”.
In her statement, Temple’s sister-in-law, Crystal, said the mistaken papers were found in his pocket at the time of his death. She suggested the police failed in its “duty of care” to Temple, who she said had mental health problems at the time of his arrest.
In his statement to the court, DS Agar of Cleveland police blamed the mistake on “genuine human error”.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded that human error caused the mistake, and that this was “incredibly unusual”, the inquest was told.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
