Inquest into Brett’s prison murder is set to get started
AN inquest into the death of a man who was murdered in his cell at Nottingham Prison is about to get underway.
Brett Lowe, 43, was killed by cellmate Ferencz-rudolf Pusok on July 18, 2018.
He was strangled with shoelaces and stabbed with a piece of plastic cutlery.
Pusok pleaded guilty to murder in 2020, and was ordered to serve a minimum term of 20 years before he can apply for parole.
Two years later an inquest into Brett Lowe’s death is set to begin. A pre-inquest review took place at the Council House in Nottingham on Monday.
Nottingham Crown Court heard in 2020 that Mr Lowe had asked to be moved from his cell, and told a prison officer that Pusok had tried to strangle him as he slept.
Mr Lowe was remanded to the jail over allegations of burglary and robbery.
Although a remand prisoner, rather than a serving prisoner, all go through the induction wing, where Pusok was housed.
The court heard that there were plans to move Mr Lowe from the cell later that day, but he was killed minutes after he was locked in the cell with Pusok at 9.30am.
At 10.15am a drug worker went to the cell and saw Mr Lowe was seriously injured, perhaps already dead.
Efforts were made to save his life but it was too late, Nottingham Crown Court was told.
’HORRIFIC AND VIOLENT’ DEATH IN CELL TO BE INVESTIGATED
Pusok had been given a tenweek prison sentence for offences including criminal damage and threatening behaviour just days before the attack.
It was revealed in the preinquest review that one member of staff had been the subject of an internal disciplinary meeting and had subsequently been dismissed, subject to any potential appeal. At least one more disciplinary meeting was expected to take place at the prison, the inquest was told. Laurinda Bower, assistant coroner for Nottinghamshire, was joined by representatives of the prison service, Mr Lowe’s family, the healthcare service and Nottinghamshire Police at the hearing.
CCTV footage is expected to be played at the inquest, as well as bodycam footage from police officers.
Mr Lowe’s family said in a statement after the court case two years ago: “The whole family has been left devastated by the murder of our beloved family member, Brett.
“Brett was a dad, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, cousin and a friend. Our father was denied the chance of meeting his first grandchild.
“He won’t be around to watch us grow or live his own life. Today’s sentencing has brought us all some closure and we can now finally move on with our lives.”
Detective Inspector Rachael North, who led the investigation, said: “This was a horrific and violent attack which tragically ended Brett’s life. Brett was much loved by his family, who must now come to terms with losing him in this terrible way.
“The investigation team worked long and hard on this case to ensure that Pusok was held responsible for his cruel and callous actions. I’m glad that we were able to put him before the courts and I hope this will provide some comfort to Brett’s loved ones”.
Our father was denied the chance of meeting his first grandchild
Statement from Brett Lowe’s family