Ex convict dies day after release

10:00am Thursday 30th August 2007

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A MAN who refused to go to hospital after taking drugs and suffering from a chest infection died a day after being released from prison.

An inquest in Stourport-on-Severn heard how Stephen Ellson, aged 39, a known drugs user, died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Saturday, January 6.

Former Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round said Mr Ellson, did not have an address at the time of his death as he had just been released from Blakenhurst prison in Redditch.

Mr Round told the inquest he had a history of abusing drugs.

Friends were expecting to meet him at the train station, but he didn't turn up. He arrived at their Westlands estate house in Droitwich the following day.

Friend of ten years Allison Hartnal said she believed he had slept rough that night.

"He was very wet and cold. He was soaking wet. He wrapped himself in blankets on the settee and fell asleep," she said.

But she said when her partner Steven Bennett tried to wake him later in the day, his colour changed and he had trouble breathing, which is when they called for an ambulance.

Once they arrived he was injected three times with a drug called Narcan, which temporarily takes away the effects of heroin.

Miss Hartnal added he was disorientated and they had tried for a long time to persuade him to go to hospital, but he refused.

The ambulance crews left and Mr Ellson woke up for a short time before falling back to sleep. When Mr Bennett again tried waking him his condition deteriorated once more.

Another ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital where he later died.

Mr Bennett told the inquest he was a former cellmate of Mr Ellson, and he had know him in the past to take heroin.

"All the paramedics advised him to go to the doctors. They said he didn't want to go to hospital. He didn't want to go anywhere," he added.

Mr Bennett was asked by paramedics to sign a form confirming that Mr Ellson had refused to go to hospital.

Paramedic Simon Edwards said they had no powers to force him.

Mr Edwards said he believed he was under the influence of an opiate and also had a chest infection.

Mr Round said it was not a straight forward drugs death as it was combined with the bronchopneumonia.

Morphine was found in his blood and Mr Round added as he had just been released from prison, he could have had a reduced tolerance to the drug.

Mr Round said he believed if he had gone to hospital the first time he could have been saved.

A verdict of misadventure was recorded.