Family hopes inquest into teacher’s death will ‘minimise risk to future lives’
The family of popular Lincolnshire teacher who hung himself after leaving a mental health unit say they were “shocked and disappointed” by the circumstances of his death. An inquest in to the death of Graeme Mutton, from Market Deeping, found that his parents were unaware he had been allowed unescorted leave from the Peter Hodgkinson…
Hedley Graeme Mutton, who died on November 24, 2015
The family of popular Lincolnshire teacher who hung himself after leaving a mental health unit say they were “shocked and disappointed” by the circumstances of his death.
An inquest in to the death of Graeme Mutton, from Market Deeping, found that his parents were unaware he had been allowed unescorted leave from the Peter Hodgkinson Centre in Lincoln where he was an informal inpatient.
A statement released on behalf of his family said his parents Alan and Sheila were shocked that he had been allowed unescorted leave, particularly as they had been told to ‘keep a close eye’ on Graeme during his last period of family leave.
Graeme’s body was found by police at the Greetwell Road quarry in Lincoln four days after he was allowed to leave the unit on November 24, 2015.
His family told the inquest they felt that several opportunities were missed on November 24 which may have prevented Graeme’s death, including a proper risk assessment, accurate record keeping and adequate staffing levels.
The family also felt that communication from the trust after Graeme’s death was extremely poor.
In a statement following the inquest which concluded at Lincoln Cathedral Centre on Thursday Graeme’s family said: “Graeme was a loving and caring son, brother, father and uncle and a dedicated professional who cared passionately about education and the young people in his charge. He is sorely missed by all his family.
“Some of the questions we had about Graeme’s treatment have now been answered and although nothing can bring him back we hope that this inquest will ensure that steps are taken to minimise the risk of another family suffering the loss of a deeply loved relative in similar circumstances.”
Merry Varney, solicitor at law firm Leigh Day, represented Graeme’s family at the inquest. She said: “Having been excluded from Graeme’s care shortly before his death, his family has been shocked and disappointed to learn more about the circumstances of Graeme’s death.
“The trust’s own investigation led to widespread recommendations for change and I welcome the recognition by the trust that the manner in which the family were treated after Graeme’s death was also unacceptable and must not be repeated.
“Better and wider communication with families and carers, and communication between healthcare professionals is key to providing safe and effective care and treatment for people suffering mental health illness.
“To minimise the risk to future lives, we hope that the trust will continue to ensure improvements are made to their services, especially in the areas identified by the coroner, and that changes made as a result of Graeme’s death are embedded into practice.”
In recording a narrative verdict the Coroner, Paul Smith, highlighted a number of concerns relating to a meeting between Graeme and healthcare staff on November 20, which led to him being granted unescorted leave.
The coroner said that “insufficient weight” was given to his recent presentation and historical risk status. The coroner also noted that no formal risk assessment had been undertaken in relation to granting unescorted leave.
He also found failings on the day that Graeme went missing from the hospital, November 24, in that concerns were not raised until 3pm and the Missing Person Protocol was not enacted until 8pm. However, the Coroner concluded that neither of these issues contributed to Mr Mutton’s death.
Graeme was described by his family as a bright and active child who got on well with his four siblings. As a young adult he represented Scotland in hockey and played in the National League and internationally for many years.
Graeme began a career in teaching in 1997 and taught PE and Maths. He worked at Bournville School in Birmingham from 2000 to 2014 where he was Head of Department and then Assistant Head Teacher. He later taught at Deepings School in Lincolnshire and at Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough.
After the inquest Dr Sue Elcock, Medical Director at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Mutton’s family at this sad time.
“The trust is absolutely committed to providing good quality care and following every unexpected patient death we carry out a thorough internal investigation, including a detailed action plan.
“We have made considerable change following this incident in terms of working with our staff to strengthen our risk assessment processes, ward handovers and our visible nurse and patient leave protocols. Clear and continuous communication with families has also been highlighted by this case and our trust systems have already been changed.
“We offer our sincere condolences and apologies to the family at this very difficult time.”
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A couple building a giant cathedral-like property in south Lincolnshire will feature on Channel 4’s Grand Designs on Wednesday night.
Nathan and Ayme Marshall have modelled the ambitious project understood to be near Spalding on Dutch barn style houses.
Flooding and pregnancy added extra pressure onto the project, which will feature in the third episode of the latest series at 9pm on Channel 4 on January 20.
The home boasts a 5,000-tile armadillo roof, as well as a yet to be revealed contemporary twist.
It will have a wing for Nathan’s teenage children and a two-bedroom annexe for his mum and step-dad to move into from the static caravan they’ve lived in for the last 13 years.
The couple modelled the ambitious cathedral-like property project on Dutch barn style houses. | Photo: Channel 4
Take a look inside. | Photo: Channel 4
Tomorrow night we head to South Lincolnshire where Nathan and Amye are building a unique cathedral-like home modelled on local Dutch barn houses.
Lincolnshire born and bred Nathan has never moved far from his own town and always wanted to stay local.
He set up building, pub and microbrewery businesses where he grew up before meeting Amye five years ago, who is a teacher from Ireland.
Nathan and Ayme ambitious plans will feature on Grand Designs. | Photo: Channel 4
The couple want to finish the build in just a year, but the project didn’t get off to the easiest of starts.
Constant rain and a rising water table caused excavations to collapse and a 36 tone crane to sink into the mire.
On tonight’s brand-new @granddesigns, @Kevin_McCloud is visiting Lincolnshire, where Nathan and Amye are building a giant cathedral-like home modelled on local Dutch barn houses – but flooding and pregnancy put the pressure on. Catch it at 9pm on @Channel4pic.twitter.com/RBfJIPQZOO
Councillors have approved plans to build 125 homes across three areas in South Kesteven.
66 homes will be built in Corby Glen, 40 in Grantham and 19 in Bourne.
South Kesteven District Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the 66 and 19 homes, while the 40 homes application in Grantham was more controversial.
66 homes in Corby Glen
An artist’s impression of how the 66 home development will look.
Larkfleet Homes were unanimously given permission by councillors to build 66 homes in Corby Glen.
The planning development will be situated on the land adjacent to the fire station in the village.
There will be a walking and cycling link, 30% affordable housing, educational and NHS contributions as well as a mixture of semi-detached, terraced, three and four-bed homes.
Only two objections were raised from members of the public.
Cllr David Bellamy questioned if there will be any bungalows for the retired and elderly — but there won’t be any.
Cllr Helen Crawford added: “I think we need to cater for all generations.”
40 homes in Grantham
The site plan layout for 40 dwellings in Grantham.
40 homes in Grantham were also approved in the planning committee, eight of which being classed as affordable.
The site will be at what was Grantham Church High School, Queensway. The school was closed and demolished in 2014.
The site was previously granted outline consent for 44 dwellings but four homes were removed from plans to allow for some on-site surface water reduction.
Educational contributions of £135,931 and NHS contributions of £26,400 will be made.
Lynette Swinburne, charteredtownplannerandtheagentfortheapplication said: “This represents an opportunity for the redevelopment of a brownfield site to create new homes.”
Cllr Ian Selby said: “Thisisnotmakingbestuseofthe areaquestion” and highlighted the congestion issue of approximately 80 more cars in the area.
Phil Jordan, Principal Planning Officer said it’s a “sustainable location” as you can walk to shops so there may be less of a need for cars.
A motion to defer decisions fell. There were nine in favour of proposals, one against (Cllr Selby), and two abstained.
19 homes in Bourne
Artist’s impression of how the 19 homes in Bourne will look.
19 homes in Bourne were unanimously approved on the land off Falcon Way in the planning committee.
Developers EFR Construction Ltd will build detached, semi-detached and apartment properties providing a range of one, three and four-bed accommodation.
Two one-bed homes will be affordable.
Cllr Helen Crawford praised the appearance of the new homes saying the designs weren’t just “off the shelf”.
A mother who attacked police officers arresting her son has been jailed for three months at Lincoln Crown Court.
Lesley Wilkinson, 45, of High Street, Blyton, near Gainsborough, punched one officer in the face and then kicked him in the groin.
She went on to kick a second officer in the head during the incident at her home in the village of Blyton.
Eunice Opare-Addo, prosecuting, said that officers went to the family home in December 2019 as part of an investigation into an incident that occurred earlier in the day.
Jordan Kirman, Wilkinson’s son, was arrested at the house and then a Special Constable went to arrest Wilkinson.
Miss Opare-Addo said: “Lesley Wilkinson became obstructive and punched the officer to the left side of the face making contact with the left cheek.
“The defendant began screaming and shouting. She kicked the officer in the groin area and then continued to kick out at the right side of his leg.
“She was escorted past Jordan Kirman, who was being detained. She was being aggressive and confrontational.
“As she walked past, she kicked twice at the officer detaining her son. One kick contacted the officer’s head and the second contacted the right elbow.”
Miss Opare-Addo said that as Wilkinson was being restrained a third officer suffered an injury to his right arm.
Lesley Wilkinson admitted two charges of assaulting an emergency worker and a further charge of obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty as a result of the incident on December 22, 2019. She was jailed for three months.
Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told her: “I accept you felt aggrieved but that does not justify what you did.
“This court will not tolerate deliberate assaults on police officers. In your case there has to be an immediate custodial sentence.”
Jordan Kirman, 20, of the same address, admitted obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.
He also admitted being in breach of a suspended jail sentence imposed for an offence of assault.
He was given a three-month community order with a three-month night-time curfew.
Mark Watson, for Wilkinson, said that an ongoing feud with another family resulted in police calling at her home.
He said that Wilkinson was the innocent party in that matter and intended to call police to complain of an assault, but the other family got in ahead of her and made their call first.
“What then took place is in the context of Lesley Wilkinson being assaulted herself and then being arrested. That gave rise to a strained situation and she reacted badly when the police called.”
Mr Watson said that Wilkinson later faced a Magistrates Court trial over the incident which led to her police visiting her home and she was acquitted after citing self-defence.
He told the court that Wilkinson has mental health problems and he urged that any prison sentence should be suspended.
Leanne Summers, for Kirman, said: “When the police arrested him, he was initially compliant but then became concerned about the way police were treating his mother. In hindsight he realises he could have handled the situation better.”