Arthur Robert Mallory, 55, died in hospital after collapsing when police placed a spit hood over his head at Swansea Central Police Station, an inquest has heard.
The jury inquest, scheduled to run over two weeks, was opened at Swansea's Guildhall on Monday, November 2. Assistant coroner Kristen Heaven heard that Mr Mallory, referred to during the hearing as Robert, lived in supported housing run by Caredig at St Helen's Avenue.
Background and arrest
Mr Mallory had a long history of mental health difficulties and drug use, and had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, for which he was prescribed various medications including clozapine. He was under the secondary mental health care of Swansea Bay University Health Board, with consultant-led care and a care co-ordinator in the community.
On March 26, 2024, Caredig support workers became concerned about Mr Mallory's behaviour and called South Wales Police for assistance, telling them they believed he had not taken his clozapine medication. He had been seen laughing to himself and jumping out of his bed, the inquest was told.
Two officers attended the property, and Mr Mallory was arrested. One of the officers, PC Sally George, had been kicked by him, the inquest heard.
Collapse and death
Mr Mallory was taken to Swansea Central Police Station and placed into an airlock, where he remained for a period of time under restraint. He was then taken into the custody area, and a spit hood was placed over his head, resulting in him collapsing shortly afterwards.
A healthcare worker from a company called Mitie was called, who identified that Mr Mallory did not have a pulse. CPR was commenced and an ambulance was called. The paramedics applied a defibrillator but found that Mr Mallory "was in asystole", meaning there was no electrical activity in his heart. He was taken to Morriston Hospital but was declared dead shortly after his arrival.
Family tribute
The inquest heard how Mr Mallory was a former Cefn Hengoed comprehensive school pupil who had been "quiet, thoughtful, imaginative and intelligent" as a child. He had developed a "deep passion" for painting aircraft models, and for music, with a love of Kiss and The Who.
A family statement heard how he had been "warmly loved" by them, with a particularly close bond in his formative years. It detailed how he "fell in with the wrong crowd" as he transitioned into a young adult and started experimenting with illicit substances, causing his mental health to deteriorate.
That, in turn, led to his family finding it "challenging" to maintain contact with him, which was a "source of immense heartache and worry", particularly for his mother. He had found stability when he found his home at Caredig, his family said, adding that he was "deeply loved and missed by his mother Shirley who has resided in a nursing home for many years".
The inquest continues.
