HMP Norwich prisoner hanging death ruled misadventure

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-33552790

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A verdict of misadventure has been recorded at an inquest into the death of an inmate hanged at Norwich Prison.

Zacki Melheim, 47, died in hospital five days after being found "suspended from a ligature" tied to a cell window.

He was unconscious but had a pulse when found in August 2011, the jury heard. He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he died.

Pathologist Dr Tim Barker told the inquest Mr Melheim had died because of a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Assistant Coroner David Osborne had told the jurors on Monday they must assess evidence of Mr Melheim's mental health care.

He said they would also be asked to consider the prisoner's "state of mind".

Partnerships in Care said they had provided secondary specialist mental healthcare to the prison at the time Mr Melheim died.

'Vicious cruel man'

The assistant coroner directed the jury that no shortcomings from any health professional were found in the evidence.

There was no need for a prevention of future deaths report in this case, he added.

Mr Melheim was not on suicide watch.

When the jury returned the foreman just gave its verdict of misadventure and the coroner adjourned the hearing without further comment.

Mr Melheim, who had been jailed for five years for burglary, died in hospital on 28 August, five days after being found in his cell.

He had been recalled to prison after breaching conditions of his release from a five-year sentence for a violent burglary.

He had pulled a 78-year-old woman to the ground to steal two diamond rings in a raid in Watford.

Jailing Melheim at St Albans Crown Court in 2007, Judge John Plumstead told him: "You are a ruthless, vicious and cruel man."