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13
Mar 2023
Harrogate schoolboy, 16, death in homeless hostel 'unascertained', coroner concludes
A corner has concluded that the death of a 16-year-old Harrogate schoolboy in an adult homeless hostel was “unascertained”.
Benjamin Nelson-Roux, a student at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died in Harrogate on April 8, 2020.
His body was found by his mum, Kate, at Harrogate Borough Council-run homeless hostel Cavendish House on Robert Street. He had been living there since February of that year.
The hostel was intended for adults and has nine bedsits.
A wide-ranging 12-day inquest was held into Ben’s death and concluded this morning at North Yorkshire Coroner’s Office in Northallerton.
The hearing explored the decision by North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council to place Ben in an adult homeless hostel, given his age, vulnerability, and what was known about his lifestyle at the time.
Death 'unascertained'
Jon Heath, senior coroner for North Yorkshire, concluded Ben’s death was “unascertained”, but noted that “multiple drugs” had been found in his body.
Mr Heath said there was no evidence of any third party involvement.
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He added that the accommodation provided to the 16-year-old was “unsuitable”, but it could not be determined whether this contributed to his death.
The inquest heard that the hostel had no security on April 7 and April 8 due to a contract issue.
However, Mr Heath said it could not be determined whether any other accommodation would have prevented his death.
The inquest, which was held last year, heard how Ben’s body was found by his mother Kate after she forced entry into his room at around 4pm.
She carried out CPR until a paramedic arrived. However, he was certified dead at 4.50pm.
A toxicology report found several drugs in his bloody, including diazepam, ecstasy and cocaine.
Dr Carl Gray, consultant pathologist at Harrogate District Hospital, said he was unable to undertake a full post-mortem on Ben’s body as it took place during the first covid lockdown.
He told the inquest:
Ben was placed in the hostel on Robert Street in February 2020 until alternative accommodation was found.
The inquest heard concerns from social workers and other agencies that the hostel was not suitable due to the 16-year-old being at risk of exploitation from county lines drugs dealers.
The hearing at Northallerton also heard that Ben had struggled with drug misuse for several years.
Prevention of future deaths
Following his conclusions, Mr Heath told the court that he intended to issue a prevention of future deaths report.
Mr Heath said he would to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to raise concern over the lack of under-18s facilities for drug misuse.
He also intended to write to North Yorkshire County Council to raise concern over why alternative accommodation was not considered outside of the county.
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