A coroner is going to speak to police about concerns for Wandsworth Prison after 11 men died in custody last year.

Dr Fiona Wilcox made the comments today at a pre-inquest hearing into the deaths of two prisoners who shared the same cell and both hanged themselves, months apart.

Wandsworth Times:

Robert Richards, 22, died on July 29, 2014, and left a note referencing “debts” he had inherited from his former cell mate Ian Pearson, 42, who died on March 3.

Representatives at Westminster Coroner’s Court today were unable to say what the debts were.

Richards, a father-of-one from Chessington, died just days before he was due to be sentenced for raping and attempting to murder a pensioner in her 70s.

The court heard from Jude Bunting, representing Richards’ family, who raised a number of concerns about smuggling, the care of vulnerable prisoners and bullying at the country’s largest prison.

He said: “Mr Richards left a note in his cell in which he indicated he couldn’t go on with the bullying he was receiving.

“Mr Pearson I understand to have been his cellmate. He committed suicide in his cell when he was a prisoner.

“Mr Richards appears to have referred to Mr Pearson himself in the note and it appears Mr Richards complains to one officer or may be more after Mr Pearson’s death he was being bullied in respect to debts he had inherited.”

Mr Bunting spoke of C-wing, where Richards and Pearson resided, how a healthcare assistant was prosecuted last year for bringing in contraband and ongoing allegations of a staff member bringing in cannabis to the wing.

The court heard just before Richards’ death he was due to be adjudicated for possession of a mobile phone.

Both inquests could be heard together by the same jury.

Dr Wilcox said she would speak with police outside the court room to discuss issues raised by the family and added: “I am concerned last year there were 11 deaths in custody. I’m concerned that some of the other deaths have similar issues. I will be making inquiries to see if these deaths were related in any way.”

Dr Cox also repeatedly expressed her disappointment that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman had not turned up to the hearing today.

A date has not yet been set for the inquests to take place but further pre-inquest hearings are expected in coming weeks.