A robber who was imprisoned for assaulting a frail pensioner was discovered hanged in his cell just two days after his suicide watch was lifted. Christopher Parker was sentenced to nearly five years in prison in 2017 after he knocked a 91-year-old woman to the ground and dragged her around in a horrifying street mugging.
He was locked up at HMP Holme House, in Stockton-on-Tees when he was found hanged in his cell in November 2020. A report into his death released by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has exposed a series of shortcomings in his care prior to his death.
The report details how Parker had been briefly released from prison on licence in April 2020 but was returned to HMP Durham two months later after overdosing and violating his licence conditions. He was transferred back to Holme House later that month.
Despite his history of suicide attempts, self-harm, mental illness and substance abuse, and several “risk factors” being present, reception staff at Durham did not identify Parker as being at risk of suicide and self-harm, according to the PPO. He was not managed under the Prison Service’s suicide and self-harm prevention procedures, known as ACCT.
Following his return to HMP Holme House, Parker self-harmed on October 22, 2023, and prison staff initiated ACCT monitoring procedures.
The inmate also informed staff that he had taken an overdose.
However, a mental health assessment conducted days later determined Parker was not mentally ill.
Instead, it was believed his “mood was low” as he feared he would be targeted by other inmates due to the nature of his offence.
On November 10, Parker’s monitoring ceased after he stated he had no intention of harming himself.
Two days later, Parker informed two staff members that he was worried about another prisoner who knew about the nature of his offence, and it was agreed that he could be relocated to another wing.
However, at 4pm that day, Parker was discovered hanging in his cell.
Staff and paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but he was declared dead shortly afterwards.
The report reveals that the officer who found Parker did not possess a radio, which caused a delay in calling an ambulance.
The PPO has issued a series of recommendations for both HMP Durham and HMP Holme House regarding assessing suicide risk and monitoring. The Prison Service confirmed today that changes have been implemented, including an update to HMP Durham’s suicide and self-harm procedures during prisoner reception.
This will involve staff considering all documents, including licence recall papers, and recording clear decisions about risk. All staff at HMP Durham have also been briefed on risks and triggers related to suicide and self-harm.
At HMP Holme House, all operational staff have now undergone suicide and self-harm prevention training.
A spokeswoman for the Prison Service stated: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Christopher Parker. We have accepted and actioned the Prison and Probation Ombudsman’s recommendation. This includes updating suicide and self-harm prevention procedures to ensure we can better identify prisoners at risk.”
Following Parker’s imprisonment, it was reported how his crime had devastated the life of his 91-year-old victim through his cowardly attack, which occurred on Brierley Road in Cowpen, Blyth.
Audrey Bremner had been fit and independent for her age before Parker attacked her from behind as she was going to the local shop to buy her partner a birthday card. The pensioner was left severely bruised and just weeks after the attack she suffered a stroke and ended up having to move from her own home into a care home, her family said.
Parker, 33, of Greenside House, Cowpen, was sentenced to four years and ten months in prison after admitting assault with intent to rob and theft.
