West Berks prisoner took fatal overdose

David Ward, aged 45, died in August 2012 just days after burning the initials DNR – for do not resuscitate – into his chest, the hearing at Oxford Coroner’s Court was told on Monday.
Ward, formerly of Meadow Road, Theale, was seven months into an 18-year sentence imposed at Reading Crown Court for eight counts of rape and two of sexual assault on a teenage girl. He had unsuccessfully appealed against his sentence.
The inquest heard he had a history of mental health problems and had used an incense stick to burn the initials in two-inch high letters into his chest.
Although he was put on suicide watch at HMP Bullingdon, Oxford he was able to overdose on anti-depressants and pain medication.
The coroner was told that Ward was frustrated with staff at the prison because he felt he had not prescribed sufficient medication for depression and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME).
The inquest jury heard that, on August 21 last year, despite frequent checks by staff, he was able to overdose on hoarded antidepressants and opiate-based painkillers, dispensed to him each day from a medication hatch in prison.
A fellow prisoner Stuart Thorne said in a statement: “He came over to where I was sitting in the middle of the wing. He was sweating all over his head and neck and turned an ashen colour.
I asked if he was all right and he said: ‘I have just OD’d.’
I asked: ‘Do you want me to tell anyone?’ and he said ‘No’ and winked at me.”
Jurors ruled Ward had intentionally taken the prescription medication but they could not be sure he had intended to take his own life.