Fiancee suing over Stoke Heath cell death

Karl Lewis,18, took his own life at Stoke Heath YOI, near Market Drayton, in January 2005 after being sentenced to six years for robbery.

Now his fiancee Christina Morgan, of Shrewsbury, and his daughter Courtney - who was just a week old when he died - are seeking damages from the Ministry of Justice, claiming negligence and violations of Lewis's human rights.

The case is currently being heard in the High Court in London. Their barrister, Paul Bowen, said Lewis, who was living in Frankwell, Shrewsbury, at the time he was sentenced, had a history of self-harm and more should have been done to monitor him and save him from himself.

He claimed two doctors who examined him should "at the very least" have carried out further investigations into his mental state and referred him for specialist psychiatric assessment.

Mr Bowen argued the Secretary of State owed a "duty of care" to all prisoners, particularly "vulnerable" inmates, like Lewis, at risk of taking their own lives.

Mr Justice Supperstone is being asked to rule on the extent of the "duty of care" owed by the Secretary of State to Lewis.

Lewis, who had moved to Shrewsbury from Wellington, and a co-defendant were sentenced to six years at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 2004, after admitting several offences of robbery during a spree which the court was told lasted five days.

The court heard the pair either assaulted their victims with metal bars or threatened to attack them if they did not hand over pr-operty, including mobile phones, cigarettes, bank cards and driving licences. During the hearing Lewis apologised for his behaviour.

The High Court hearing continues.

By John Kirk