January 31, 2017 1.23 pm This story is over 86 months old

Court case closed following the death of inmate at Lincoln Prison

Court proceedings against a suspected Lincoln burglar who died in custody earlier this month were today formally ended by a judge. Dominic James Clayton, 36, was being held at Lincoln Prison after being charged with a burglary at Birchwood Leisure Centre in Lincoln on January 8, this year. It was alleged Clayton stole mobile phones…
HMP Lincoln on Greetwell Road. | Photo: The Lincolnite

Court proceedings against a suspected Lincoln burglar who died in custody earlier this month were today formally ended by a judge.

Dominic James Clayton, 36, was being held at Lincoln Prison after being charged with a burglary at Birchwood Leisure Centre in Lincoln on January 8, this year.

It was alleged Clayton stole mobile phones and wallets containing cash to the value of £1,300 after burgling changing room number six at the leisure centre.

A hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was told Clayton, of Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln, died in the intensive care unit at Lincoln County Hospital at around 1.45pm on Monday, January 16.

His body was identified the next day by a coroner’s officer who had also known Mr Clayton during his previous career as a police officer. Mr Clayton’s prison identity tags were also still on his body, the court was told.

Ending the proceedings against Mr Clayton, Judge Michael Heath said: “I am satisfied Dominic Clayton has died after seeing evidence from the coroner’s officer.

“The proceedings are now null and void.”

Following Mr Clayton’s death Lincolnshire Police confirmed it received notification and a spokesman for the coroner’s office said it has received a file and an inquest is likely to be held at a future date.

A prison service spokesperson said: “HMP Lincoln prisoner Dominic Clayton born on March 20, 1980, died in custody on Monday, January 16.

“As with all deaths in custody there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”