October 3, 2025
Reeves v Commr of Police [1999] UKHL 35
Martin Lynch, a known suicide risk, hanged himself in a police cell using an open hatch and spy hole. The House of Lords held the police owed and breached a duty to take reasonable care to prevent his suicide, but reduced damages by 50% for his contributory responsibility. Facts Martin Lynch, aged 29, hanged himself on 23 March 1990 in a cell at Kentish Town Police Station. He had been remanded in custody on credit fraud charges and was under investigation for handling stolen vehicles. He had made two previous suicide attempts by strangling himself with a belt, one at
