Prisoner found dead in cell by inmates - inquest

A father-of-two who died in his cell at a Nottinghamshire jail was found by other inmates, an inquest has heard.

Mark Bates, originally from Bolton, died at HMP Lowdham Grange on 26 March last year.

The 32-year-old was pronounced deceased minutes after an ambulance arrived.

An inquest at Nottingham Coroner's Court opened on Monday, and heard three different types of synthetic cannabinoid - often known as Spice - were found in his system.

The court heard Bates - who was described as "the proudest father who always worshipped his two boys" by his family - had been transferred to Lowdham Grange from HMP Forest Bank on 28 June 2023.

A jury was told he had a history of mental health problems, including instances of self-harm, and was prescribed medication to help deal with his conditions.

His anxiety was reportedly worsened by uncertainty over his potential release on parole, and the court heard he had not wanted to be transferred to Lowdham Grange - which is operated by the Ministry of Justice - and wished to move.

He had been moved from the Category B jail's segregation unit shortly before 26 March 2025, and on that morning his cell had been unlocked at about 08:05 GMT.

The court was told prisoners who later went into the cell alerted staff and an emergency code blue was issued.

An ambulance crew arrived at his cell at 08:38, but Bates was pronounced dead at 08:41.

Stuart Hamilton, a forensic pathologist, told jurors he carried out a post-mortem examination the day after the death, and said he had been informed "other prisoners entered Mr Bates' cell and thought that he was dead" when they saw him.

He said no external injuries were found that could have been connected to the death, nor were there signs of internal disease, but three different synthetic cannabinoids were discovered following a toxicological report.

While commonly known by the name Spice, he explained to jurors it is a "generic term" that refers to substances that are "highly unpredictable" and "much more dangerous" than natural forms of cannabis.

"The effects of these synthetic cannabinoids can vary wildly," he said.

While traces of some other substances were found in Bates' system, such as ketamine in the blood and pregabalin in his urine, Dr Hamilton said none were at a high level, with Spice "the only significant [finding] that would explain [his] death".

Gareth Evans, head of safety at Lowdham Grange, said every effort was made by staff to stop Spice being used, which he said was an "endemic" problem in prisons across the country.

Describing Spice as "an awful, awful drug" that is "highly addictive", he said it was "very challenging" stopping the flow of illicit substances, but insisted staff "are fighting it every single day".

"I've worked for the prison service for 16 years, and it [Spice] is one of the worst things that's ever happened," he said.

"There is zero tolerance to drug use in prisons."

The inquest continues.

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