Sandesh Singh has successfully represented a housing association at an Article 2 inquest concerning the fatal stabbing of a resident
Sandesh represented a housing association at one of the first complex inquests to be heard ‘in person’ in London since lockdown measures were lifted. The inquest, which lasted nine days, concerned a tenant in shared accommodation owned by the housing association who was fatally stabbed by another tenant. Both individuals had been allocated to the property via the Local Authority and were in receipt of support provided by a further organisation. The assailant, who was also under the care of the mental health services, was subsequently convicted of Manslaughter by reason of Diminished Responsibility and sentenced to a Hospital Order. An Article 2 inquest was held to examine whether any acts or omissions of the NHS Trust, the Metropolitan Police, the Local Authority, the support provider or the housing association contributed to the death. At the conclusion of the evidence, the Coroner delivered a narrative conclusion in which he identified various failings in risk assessment/management. The Coroner did not find that any matter concerning the housing association was either probably or possibly causative and no Regulation 28 report was issued in respect of the housing association.
Sandesh Singh was instructed by Kevin Bridges and Laura White of Pinsent Masons.