Report of the Inquiry into the circumstances of the Death of Bernard ...

the recess, got about three cells away and was taken back into the recess area and
given a beating by officers.
Evidence about the circumstances
4.15 The purpose of the visit to Whiston Hospital was for Mr Lodge to see a surgeon
about the injuries to his arms, which were heavily bandaged. The two escorting officers
said that Mr Lodge was quiet during the taxi journey. Both said his mood changed at
Whiston and that in the waiting area he was agitated and abusive to the officers. Officer
Brownley thought this began as soon as they arrived, when Mr Lodge started to make
his way into the hospital from the taxi and was told to stay with the officers. Officer
Clucas said he became angry when he was admonished for going to the toilet a first time
without asking permission. Mr Routledge, the off-duty police officer, said he was aware
of Mr Lodge being animated and abusive in the waiting area. He was not certain when
that began.
The nature of Mr Lodge’s injuries
4.16 The surgeon who saw Mr Lodge at Whiston on Saturday afternoon 27 June,
shortly after the incident, gave evidence to the inquest that the lacerations were
superficial with no nerve or tendon damage. They were closed with sutures the next day.
The surgeon advised that this type of injury would not have significantly reduced his
ability to defend himself against another person. He said Mr Lodge was very cooperative.
4.17 After Mr Lodge’s death, the forensic pathologist described slash wounds that
were healing on his forearms. There were two wounds on the right arm, 17 and 10
centimetres long, and three on the left arm measuring 11.14 and 4.5 centimetres.
4.18 As part of his clinical review for the inquiry, Dr Wright was asked to advise
whether the nature of Mr Lodge’s self-inflicted injuries could have precluded him from
physically pushing Officer Brownley backwards.
4.19 Dr Wright advised that in his experience, self-inflicted injuries do not preclude an
individual from the potential for physical violence towards professionals. Mr Lodge’s selfinflicted
wounds, whilst extensive, were to skin and superficial soft tissue. Serious or
permanent injury to nerve or muscle tissue could have the potential to limit an
individual’s power to exert force but there was no indication in the records of any
seriously or permanently injured nerve or muscle tissue. This was confirmed by the
surgeon’s report.
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