Man called police during 'episode' day before death

A man who died after being detained under the Mental Health Act had called police the day before while having an "episode" but was not sectioned, an inquest has heard.

Kaine Fletcher, who had been diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder, died at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on 3 July 2022 after being restrained while in a state of "distress".

The day before, the 26-year-old had called police from his mother's house saying he would "kill somebody" if they did not attend and said he had taken drugs.

Nottingham Coroner's Court heard on Tuesday that, despite showing symptoms of a mental health disorder, he was taken back to his accommodation by officers.

Under the Mental Health Act, Section 136 gives police emergency powers to remove an individual who appears to be having a mental health disorder to a place of safety.

The jury inquest into Mr Fletcher's death, led by assistant coroner Alexandra Pountey, began on Monday.

Mr Fletcher's medical cause of death was recorded as the "physiological effects of physical exertion combined with the toxic effects of cocaine and other substances".

The father of two was at his mother's house on 2 July when he called the police, but had been staying at the young people's charity YMCA.

Police body-worn video footage played in court showed that on officers' arrival to the house, Mr Fletcher was shirtless, sweating profusely and not making sense when speaking to them.

He told officers he had been "made to believe" he was "crazy" and made reference to blood-stained clothing which was not real.

A street triage team - made up of mental health practitioners and police officers - attended as well as an ambulance.

The footage showed Mr Fletcher was physically assessed by ambulance workers, with his blood pressure and heart rate checked.

Community mental health nurse David Todd attended as part of the street triage team.

He was responsible for assessing Mr Fletcher's mental health and helping to determine what actions should be taken.

Mr Todd told the court: "Initially I thought Kaine might have had symptoms of ABD [acute behavioural disorder] but later didn't."

He said Mr Fletcher had "got his shirt back on" and "slowed down" and therefore did not believe a Section 136 was necessary.

Mr Todd added: "I considered that after his ambulance assessment he wanted to go back to his accommodation."

However, the court heard no "formal assessment" took place.

The inquest also heard that Mr Fletcher had been referred by his GP to Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust due to his mental health in February 2022, but never received any treatment.

Mr Fletcher did receive help for substance abuse but the coroner said there "seemed to be a gap" between treatment for substance abuse and mental health issued.

Stephen Simblet KC, representing Mr Fletcher's family, said he fell into that gap.

The inquest continues.

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