The inquest into the death of Peter Lynch, 61, who was found hanged at HMP Moorland on 19 October 2024, resumed at Doncaster Coroner’s Court this week. Mr Lynch had been arrested on 10 August after unrest that broke out at a hotel in Manvers which had been accommodating asylum seekers.
Custody concerns and missed opportunities
Evidence heard on the opening day concentrated on Mr Lynch’s behaviour in the custody suite at Shepcote Lane Police Station, Sheffield. Sergeant Ryan Handley told the court he had recorded that Mr Lynch’s manner was "strange" and that he appeared confused. The sergeant said the detainee would not give a family name and repeatedly answered questions with the same phrase.
"Peter, living man, son of Michael and Lily"
Sgt Handley also said Mr Lynch declined all offers of food and drink while in custody. When asked whether he should have referred the man to the police liaison and diversion team — a specialist service that identifies people with mental health needs — the officer told the coroner that, in hindsight, he should have done so.
"With hindsight, yes."
Context of the disorder
The disturbance in August 2024 saw hundreds gather outside the Holiday Inn Express at Manvers. Witness accounts and subsequent prosecutions showed attackers threw missiles including bricks and bottles at officers, started fires around the building and forced staff to barricade themselves inside. Ultimately, 120 people were convicted for their part in the riot.
Counsel for Mr Lynch’s family, Richard Copnall, put to Sgt Handley that the detainee should have been declared unfit for interview. The officer maintained his assessment that Mr Lynch was fit to be interviewed, though he accepted the referral to liaison and diversion would have been sensible with hindsight.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2024 | Disorder at Holiday Inn Express, Manvers |
| 10 August 2024 | Peter Lynch arrested |
| 19 October 2024 | Mr Lynch found dead at HMP Moorland |
| July 2026 | Inquest hearing continues at Doncaster Coroner’s Court |
What the family and public need to know
The evidence so far raises important questions about how detainees presenting with confusion are assessed and the thresholds used by custody staff to trigger specialist mental-health support. The liaison and diversion service exists to identify vulnerability and direct people toward appropriate care; whether its involvement might have changed events in this case is a central matter for the jury.
- Mr Lynch was 61 and died at HMP Moorland on 19 October 2024.
- He was arrested on 10 August following unrest by a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manvers.
- Sergeant Ryan Handley accepted, in hindsight, referral to liaison and diversion should have been considered.
The inquest is expected to continue for two weeks. Further witness testimony and any medical reports admitted to the court will be crucial to determining whether custodial and medical processes were adequate and whether any lessons need to be drawn for police and prison practice in South Yorkshire.
