MUM‘LETMUM ‘LET DOWN’ BEFORE HOSPITAL DEATH
THE family of a mum wrongly convicted for a deadly house fire said she was “let down” in hospital after being detained under the Mental Health Act.
Annette Hewins, 51, of Merthyr Tydfil, served 18 months of a 13-year sentence for arson with intent to endanger life following the deaths of 21-year-old Diane Jones and her daughters Shauna, two, and SarahJane, 13 months. All three died in a fire at their home on the Gurnos estate in Merthyr Tydfil in October 1995.
Ms Hewins, who had five children, was released from prison in 1999 on appeal and her conviction was quashed. South Wales Police accepted in 2006 that she never played a part in the deaths.
A three-day inquest at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard Ms Hewins was hospitalised on February 7, 2017, after her family became concerned she was “distressed and confused”.
Yesterday Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded a narrative conclusion. He said: “The deceased likely died as a consequence of a fatal arrhythmia against a background of asymptomatic heart disease.”
Mr Hughes said it was “likely this happened as a consequence of the physical and psychological” stresses related to her opiate withdrawal and admission to hospital.
A post-mortem report found Ms Hewins had a “significant blockage” on the main artery to her heart.
Blood tests taken when Ms Hewins was taken to hospital found she had “likely” taken heroin “at least some hours” before her admission.
Mr Hughes added: “It is possible but not probable that medication given to her for the acute symptoms may have had some role to play in the development of arrhythmia.”
He added that it was a “failure” by the nursing team to only carry out one set of four-hourly observations on February 8 but said: “I do not find that to be contributory to her death”.
The medical cause of death was recorded as coronary artery atherosclerosis. Mr Hughes said it “would be appropriate to give consideration” for a report to be sent to the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
Ms Hewins’ son Joshua, speaking on behalf of the family, said after the hearing: “What happened to mum earlier in her life had a profound effect on her.
“Despite the terrible and wrongful adversity she had to endure our mum was still the most wonderful loving and caring person who would do anything for her family.
“We are still in shock now about her death. All we wanted was for mum to receive the help she needed so she could get better and come back home to her family.”
He added: “It is difficult not to think that when our mum was at her most vulnerable and needed help she was let down by those who were supposed to help her.”