Hells Angel found died in cell days after being jailed for part in riot

27 November 2023 , 10:29

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Colin Green was 15 days into the two year sentence when he died in prison (Image: NCJ Media)

A member of the Hells Angels jailed for his part in a riot against a Black Lives Matter protest was found unresponsive in his cell just days into his sentence.

Colin Green, the former leader of the Tyne and Wear Chapter of the group, was 15 days into a two year and five months prison term, for violent disorder when he was found at HMP Northumberland on May 24, 2022. Staff and paramedics tried to resuscitate Green for almost an hour, however their attempts were unsuccessful.

A post-mortem report later concluded the 58-year-old died of heart disease. A Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigation into his death found Green was taking medication for high blood pressure when he was sent to prison.

Green was jailed for his part in a riot against a Black Lives Matter protest (Newcastle Chronicle)

Health checks upon his arrival to the prison indicated his blood pressure was within normal range. On May 22 it had increased and the prison requested his medication be renewed.

The next day it was still high but no further action was required. The healthcare assistant chased up the prescription as Green had one tablet remaining.

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At 5.30am on May 24, the night operation support officer checked on Green and had no concerns but at 9am got no response when they called to him in his cell and it was noticed his chest was not moving. Help was called for help from a nearby colleague who immediately started CPR on him while she called a "code blue" to indicate a medical emergency for a prisoner who is unconscious or having breathing difficulties.

Help was called for help from a nearby colleague who immediately started CPR on him while she called a "code blue"

As staff in the prison's control room called for an ambulance, the PCO went to get the defibrillator and returned to Green with the equipment and support from a third member of staff. Paramedics arrived and assisted in giving Green CPR and first aid.

However, at 9.49am, healthcare staff and paramedics agreed that CPR should be stopped and Green was pronounced dead. An inquest into his death held on November concluded he died from natural causes.

During his sentencing hearing on May 9 2022, Newcastle Crown Court heard how Green, of Church Street, Sunderland, was among a mob who gathered at Grey's Monument in Newcastle. They were opposing a group demonstrating in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The court heard how shocking scenes unfolded as the "counter-protesters" attacked police and the other group by throwing cans, bottles and smoke grenades. Police officers, horses, dogs and members of the public were injured in the June 2020 riot.

Antony Clements-Thrower