An inquest into the death of a patient at an NHS mental health unit in east London has heard that staff were asleep when the killing took place. The hearing was told that 22-year-old Rolando Torres-Pena strangled and killed fellow patient Hugo Flint-Cahan on the ward.
Inquest evidence
During the inquest proceedings, jurors were given an account of how Torres-Pena was able to carry out the attack. The court heard that the incident occurred on a ward at an NHS mental health facility in east London and that staff were asleep at the time, allowing the assault to take place.
Scope of the inquiry
The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Flint-Cahan's death, including staffing levels, procedures on the ward and whether appropriate safeguards were in place to protect patients. The hearing seeks to establish how the events unfolded and whether any failures contributed to the fatality.
Next steps
The inquest will continue as investigators and the coroner review evidence and witness testimony. Any findings could inform recommendations for changes in practice at the unit or wider NHS mental health services to prevent similar incidents in the future.