Investigation into officer after death of Priory patient

A POLICE inspector is under investigation for possible misconduct after a psychiatric patient was classed as being at “medium risk” of harm hours before being hit by a train.

Personal trainer Matthew Caseby, 23, who had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, absconded from a Priory clinic and died after stepping on to the tracks in 2020.

His family believe he might have been saved if the police had devoted more resources to finding him in the 15 hours between Matthew being reported missing and his death.

Insp Collin Baker, of West Midlands Police (WMP), is now the subject of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following a complaint by Matthew’s father Richard Caseby.

Insp Baker was the 999 response manager on duty when Matthew was reported missing by the Priory Hospital Woodbourne, and assessed him as being at medium risk of harm.

Mr Caseby claims that Insp Baker had been made aware that his son was suffering a psychotic episode and had been sectioned for his own safety after being found running on another train line.

When a new 999 response team came on shift 14 hours after Matthew went missing, two new officers reviewed the case and immediately assessed Matthew as being at high risk of harm. He was killed less than two hours later.

A spokesman for the IOPC said: “We can confirm that we are investigating the WMP response to reports that Matthew Caseby was missing.”