The North East London NHS Foundation Trust has been found guilty of a health and safety offence following the death of 22-year-old Alice Figueredo at Goodmayes Hospital in 2015.
Benjamin Aninakwa, 53, the ward manager at the time, was also found guilty under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Alice had been receiving treatment on Hepworth Ward after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act in February 2015. She took her own life on 7 July 2015.
During a trial lasting seven months, the court heard how both the Trust and Aninakwa failed in their duty of care over a six-month period leading up to Alice’s death.
Alice’s parents, Jane and Max Figueredo, said: “We would like to thank all those involved in the Metropolitan Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and their barristers for their diligent dedication to investigating and prosecuting Alice’s death.
“Thank you for believing that her life mattered and that the way she was so heartbreakingly, abysmally failed by the staff at this hospital, should not just be ignored and kicked into the long grass – which is what we believe NELFT set about doing after Alice died.
“We also want to thank the Judge and the jury in this case for their very evident hard work and conscientious commitment in what has been a much lengthier trial than any of us expected.”
Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter from the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation, said: “My thoughts remain with Alice’s family. They have had to endure years of heartbreak before sitting through a long and difficult trial where they heard time and time again about the tragic series of inactions that led to their daughter’s death.
“This was a complex investigation led by the Metropolitan Police Service, into a unique case that has led to the conviction of the Trust and Benjamin Aninakwa for health and safety offences.
“There is nothing I can say that will bring back Alice, but I hope that today’s verdict offers some comfort to her family.
“While there are thousands of NHS workers that do a commendable job every day, today’s result must also ensure that lessons are learnt to stop the same mistakes happening again.”
The Met launched an investigation nine months after Alice’s death, following a report submitted by her parents. Officers from the Specialist Crime Command reviewed over 2,600 medical records and dozens of witness statements.
They discovered serious failings in how the ward was managed. Despite being aware of Alice’s ongoing risk of self-harm, Aninakwa reportedly failed to record and communicate many incidents to his team. Only 13 out of an estimated 81 self-harm incidents were officially recorded, and only three mentioned specific items Alice used.
Officers also found that safety measures were not followed. Staff were not directed to remove harmful items from communal areas, nor were proper observation protocols put in place. As a result, Alice was able to access a communal area where she later died.
In September 2023, the CPS authorised charges of corporate manslaughter against both the Trust and Aninakwa. However, they were cleared of those charges at the Old Bailey on Monday, 9 June.
Aninakwa was found guilty of an offence under section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act, for failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others. The Trust was found guilty under section 3 of the same Act, for failing to ensure others were not exposed to health and safety risks.
Sentencing is yet to be scheduled.
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