Guard sacked after missing cell check, inquest told

A prison officer has told an inquest he was dismissed after failing to carry out required checks on an inmate who was later found hanged in his cell.

- by Emma Downey

Garth Prison, near Leyland. Inset - Aaron Taylor, aged 32

Former officer Kev Reed told County Hall, Preston, that he did not perform a scheduled inspection between 5am and 6am on August 28, 2023, the morning 32-year-old Aaron Taylor was discovered dead at HMP Garth, near Leyland.

He said an internal investigation by the prison service resulted in his dismissal.

Asked if that related to falsifying a document, he declined to answer.