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Rape suspect was found dead in hostel

Adam Derbyshire
28/ 4/2008

A MAN from Denton facing serious sex crimes was found dead in a bail hostel with a plastic bag tied securely over his head.

John Shaw, 51, was found dead the day after his trial on charges of rape and indecent assault had begun, an inquest heard.

Son Jonathon told the court his father had been warned to expect a custodial sentence and was constantly worried about going back to jail.

He said: “My father said on several occasions it would be best to end it.”

After his arrest in March last year, he stuffed tissues into his mouth while in police custody. He was considered a suicide risk by the police and appropriately monitored and there were no similar incidents while in custody at Manchester and Forest Bank.

But coroner Nigel Meadows said the Prison Service and bail hostel staff should have liaised with family and friends of the deceased to get a better picture of his mental state.

“He presented one face to the prison and approved premises but another to his family,” said Mr Meadows.

Long time friend Denise Moore said Mr Shaw, of Rowe Green, Denton had tried to kill himself with tablets because he was so unhappy at home. She admitted he also mentioned wanting to “end it all” by putting a bag over his head.

“He spoke about abusing girls and was afraid of what was going to happen to him,” she added, “He believed he was a sex addict. He was depressed and frightened of other people at Forest Bank.”

Mr Meadows said Mr Shaw was “crying out” for psychiatric help, but could not be satisfied he intended to take his own life.

Recording a narrative verdict, he said the evidence didn’t reach the standard of proof needed for a suicide verdict. It was possible, said the coroner, that thrice-married Mr Shaw could have been the victim of auto-erotic stimulation which resulted in unintended consequences.

Mr Meadows pledged to write to the Prisons Ombudsman and governors at Forest Bank and HMP Manchester to highlight the case.