Inquest finds failures in Exeter killings of three men by Lewis-Ranwell

Mixed · 2An inquest jury has concluded that failures by police and health professionals contributed to the deaths of Anthony Payne, 80, and twin brothers Dick and Roger Carter, 84, who were killed in Exeter in February 2019 by Alexander Lewis-Ranwell. 1 2 Right · 1In its conclusions on Tuesday 27 October, the jury said the shortcomings "probably made a more than minimal contribution to the three deaths", and it criticised police and staff employed by Devon County Council, Devon Partnership Trust and contractor G4S, according to the Daily Mail. 2 Left · 1Lewis-Ranwell, a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of drug-induced psychosis who had been sectioned in 2016 and 2017, was suffering delusions and wrongly believed the men were paedophiles holding people prisoner. 1

Left · 1In the days before the killings he was arrested after an incident at a farm and bailed, then arrested again on 9 February after attacking an elderly farmer with a saw at Goodleigh, whose 999 call, according to Metro, described him as dangerous. 1 Mixed · 2While in custody he was seen by Dr Mihail Pichiu, a G4S force medical examiner, who did not recommend a Mental Health Act assessment but asked for a mental health nurse to see him the next morning; that did not happen before Lewis-Ranwell was released on bail a second time. 2 1 Left · 1His mother had told police she had grave concerns and feared for his safety and others' if he was released, and Metro reports the jury found Dr Pichiu's written instructions impossible to understand. 1

Mixed · 2After release he travelled from Barnstaple to Exeter, where he killed Mr Payne with a hammer at his home near Bonhay Road and then attacked the Carter twins at their house off Cowick Lane. 1 2 Mixed · 2The outlets differ on the Carters' weapon: Metro says a spade picked up in the garden, while the Daily Mail says a saw. 1 2 Mixed · 2He was arrested for a third time after an affray at a hotel in Exeter, was found acutely psychotic in a Mental Health Act assessment, and was later charged with murder; he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and detained in hospital, and he declined to take part in the inquest. 2 1

Right · 1The Carter family's niece, Amanda Taylor, said the inquests exposed systemic failures and missed opportunities and called for a national review of guidance and training on mental health in police custody and for scrutiny of outsourced providers such as G4S; Mr Payne's family urged agencies to make changes. 2 Right · 1Lawyer Bharine Kalsi, representing both families, called the scale of the failures "breathtaking" and said urgent action was needed including nationally; a G4S spokeswoman offered condolences to the families. 2