POLICE detained a man under the Mental Health Act who was later killed in Oxfordshire after he was caught climbing over the safety barrier at the top of a 531ft cliff, an inquest has heard.
An inquest is taking place at Oxford Coroner’s Court this week for entrepreneur Martyn Stringer who died on the A4074 near Benson shortly after noon on March 27 last year.
The 54-year-old, from Preston Crowmarsh, was struck by a refuse truck on the A4074 near his home.
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Mr Stringer died in hospital two days later and his medical cause of death was given in court as multiple organ failure due to ‘trauma’.
An the inquest on Wednesday (July 24), social worker Jane Parker explained she was an approved mental health professional and was sent Mr Stringer’s case on March 25, four days before his death.
She told the inquest that his referral form explained that Mr Stringer was dropped off in Oxford by his daughter after he said he was going to go shopping.
However, she became concerned when she spotted him going into the train station. Train passengers also became concerned when they heard him talking about a clifftop in Sussex.
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Mr Stringer was allegedly seen climbing over the safety barrier and passers-by raised the alarm. He was detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, which gives police emergency powers, the inquest heard.
He was then referred to a hospital in East Sussex where he was awaiting an assessment and a free bed.
Due to the lack of beds, he couldn't be detained under section 2 of the act.
However, Ms Parker said he was eligible to be detained further due to elements such as buying a one-way ticket.
A previous witness in the inquest, a mental health nurse, described Mr Stringer as seeming ‘very unwell’.
She said: “He seemed like he had given up, he had a grave look in his eyes, he looked very sad. He talked about his family and how much he cared about them.
“I thought he would go home and see his family and that would be it."
The inquest heard that Mr Stringer had at one point left the hospital and was found later at the train station before police brought him back while waiting for a bed.
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He was later taken home by a family member.
The inquest heard that he had made attempts on his life before and was awaiting an assessment for autism.
The inquest continues.
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