MET POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF SEX OFFENCES FOUND DEAD IN PRISON CELL
Rickie Poon, 38, was awaiting trial for sex offences when he committed suicide at Pentonville prison on March 3 last year.An inquest at Bow Coroner’s Court heard that Poon lost his job in December 2024 after he was charged with a sexual offence but was granted bail.
But after an initial suicide attempt, he was remanded in custody for his own protection in February last year.
The jury found that Poon’s death was contributed to by serious failings in HMP Pentonville’s ACCT (assessment care in custody and teamwork) suicide-watch process.
These included poor management, inadequate record-keeping, inconsistent implementation of agreed actions and weak accountability between staff.
The jury also identified gaps in training and knowledge, and concluded that the ACCT was closed too early; observation levels were reduced inappropriately.
An attempt to revive Poon by prison staff was also described as lacking dignity and privacy, as he had clearly already died.
Following the jury’s verdicts Senior Coroner Mary Hassell issued a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report, concluding there is a risk that future deaths will occur in custody unless action is taken.
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