Kidnap accused found dead in cell, inquest hears

A 65-year-old man accused of being involved in a child kidnapping plot was found suffocated in his prison bed, an inquest jury has been told.

Robert Frith, from Holyhead on Anglesey, died at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham in November 2020.

The hearing in Denbighshire was told Mr Frith was being held on remand as part of a criminal investigation into allegations surrounding a child abduction on the island.

The coroner told the jury there was no suggestion a third party was involved in the death.

Six people were jailed in September 2021 after a child was snatched from his foster carer on Anglesey.

They had claimed at a month-long trial in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, that the victim had been subjected to satanic ritual abuse, and believed they were helping the child.

However, the abuse allegation was dismissed by a police investigation.

The inquest at Ruthin was told Mr Frith was remanded in custody at HMP Berwyn on 9 November in connection with the kidnapping.

Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers said he was told by officials Mr Frith was being held on his own in a single cell when he was discovered in his bed on the morning of 14 November.

Dr Rodgers said his bed clothes were covering him. "There were no signs of violence," he said.

Toxicology tests showed no contributing factors to the death. The pathologist said the cause of death was suffocation.

In a statement read out to the 11-person jury, Mr Frith's brother Peter described him as a "free spirit" who "wouldn't hurt a fly".

Peter Frith said his brother had worked as a psychiatric nurse in the health service, and while he had never been diagnosed with any mental health issues, he believed his brother did experience bouts of depression and had alcohol dependencies.

"He was lacking in self-confidence or self-esteem," added Mr Frith.

Mr Frith said his brother's arrest in connection with the kidnap offence would have "devastated" him.

"He was a sweet, caring man who did not deserve to die in a prison cell," he said.

Mr Frith added had he been asked about his brother's mental health, he would have said he was a "vulnerable and depressed" individual, who "had the potential to take his own life".

Details of Mr Frith's alleged role in the kidnap plot have not been disclosed, and Assistant Coroner David Lewis told the jury "nobody is on trial" at the hearing.

The coroner's court was told by a prison safety official Mr Frith had been assessed during his induction and agreed there was "no knowledge of a risk" to him.

Two prison officers involved in Mr Frith's reception and induction also told the coroner Mr Frith was a "polite and courteous" prisoner, with "no cause for concern" over his mental state.

The inquest is continuing.