Mirren represented the family of Nickolas ‘Nick’ Fretwell, whose inquest took place between 26 January 2026 and 5 February 2026 at the Kent and Medway Coroner’s Court. The jury heard that Nick, a bus driver and loving father, had been remanded into custody at HMP Elmley on 14 October 2024 and died just two days later on 16 October 2024.

The jury heard that Nick was first arrested by Kent Police on 12 October 2024. Kent Police was responsible for completing a person escort record (‘PER’) to inform HMP Elmley of relevant risk information. The PER did not include the fact Nick had been stopped by police some months prior intending to take his own life.

The jury heard that when Nick arrived at HMP Elmley, there were errors made in his risk assessments and his historic suicide and self-harm risks were not properly recorded. An ACCT was not opened for Nick. The jury concluded that on 16 October 2024, Nick died by suicide.

The jury found that the following failures possibly contributed to Nick’s death:

– Nick’s PER was lacking in emphasising the level of intention rather than ideation of suicide.
– Prison assessments of Nick were incorrectly entered. This included the Prison Reception Screening Tool, which noted incorrectly that Nick had not self-harmed outside of prison and omitted his mental health history; the secondary mental health screening, which incorrectly noted Nick had no mental health needs; and Nick’s mental health assessment, which incorrectly noted he had no historic suicide or self-harm risk.
– Prison documentation had not been completed or was missing. This included HMP Elmley’s ‘Bus to Bed’ checklist, which is aimed at reducing suicide and self-harm in the prison.

The Coroner indicated she will be making Prevention of Future Deaths reports in this case, which are awaited.

Mirren was instructed by Bronte Cook and Courtney Smith of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors.