A young man, Ollie Roberts, who displayed signs of suicidal thoughts but was not classified as “high risk” by the police after sending a troubling photo to his wife, was deemed to have been failed at every juncture. Despite reaching out for assistance multiple times, including visits to the hospital after a suicide attempt, Ollie’s distress was not adequately assessed. Even though a 999 call handler assessed him as “high risk,” Dorset Police did not categorize him as such, leading to a missed opportunity to locate him using his mobile phone data.
A jury at Ollie’s inquest at Bournemouth Coroners’ Court delivered a narrative verdict, highlighting missed chances and a failure to evaluate the risk properly, which contributed to Ollie’s tragic passing. They also noted insufficient and delayed responses by Dorset Police. Subsequent examination of Ollie’s phone revealed he had survived for nearly six hours post his call to Leah, his wife. Penny Dale, Ollie’s mother, expressed that prompt tracing through his phone could have potentially saved him.
Ollie, a carer, faced accusations of aggression from his estranged wife, who alleged he refused to hand over their son. Though later cleared of the charges, a police official labeled him “suicidal for sympathy” when he made statements about self-harm. Penny, present at the inquest, condemned such comments and emphasized Ollie’s plea for assistance.
On January 25, 2024, Ollie sought help at Bournemouth hospital following a suicide attempt. Despite a lack of available beds, a mental health nurse attempted to secure accommodation for him. Subsequently, when Ollie left, the nurse urged the police to section him for his own safety. Days later, his distress escalated after sending a distressing image to Leah.
Penny, honoring her son’s memory, shared poignant memories of Ollie, portraying him as a loving individual who cherished cuddles from his mother. During the March inquest, Coroner Rachael Griffin directed a prevention of future deaths notice to be issued to Dorset Police and Derbyshire Police, where Ollie had previously resided. Penny highlighted lodging complaints with the police post-Ollie’s demise, with the hope of instigating improvements and preventing similar treatment for others in distress.
In an effort to advocate for better support for individuals in crisis, Penny mentioned her sustained disbelief in Ollie’s intent, emphasizing the need for improved care and empathy. For those seeking assistance, The Samaritans remain available round the clock for confidential conversations, highlighting the importance of reaching out for help when needed.
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