http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2015-08 ... or-kicked/
A pensioner died after suffering injuries consistent to being ‘kicked’ or ‘stamped on’ while living in a care home, an inquest has heard.
73-year-old Ivan Emmanuel Campbell was a resident at Victoria Nursing Home in Rusholme, which cares for people with complex mental health needs.
A post-mortem ruled that he died from severe internal non-accidental injuries.
Senior coroner Nigel Meadows said in an initial post-mortem pathologists found blood on Mr Campbell’s abdomen – where there shouldn’t have been any - and there was also evidence to suggest damage to the liver which was deemed ‘very unusual’.
At the inquest opening, at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Mr Meadows read reports from forensic pathologists who found Mr Campbell had a ruptured liver and blunt force abdominal trauma.
It was also stated he was suffering from heart disease. He read notes from the pathologists, and said:
“Some force had been applied. There was significant trauma consistent with someone being kicked or stamped on."
“The pathologist remarked sometimes traumatic injuries, even if they are accidental or inflicted by another person, don’t always leave marks on the surface of the skin."
“In summary, I am very concerned this was a consequence of a physical assault.”
– Senior coroner Nigel Meadows
In the days before Mr Campbell’s death, it was recorded by staff at the nursing home that he had very low blood pressure and described him as ‘pale, unresponsive, cold to the touch and flinching’.
He was given an abdominal inspection by his GP – but he was said to be ‘flinching’ and in pain so was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary on 16 April, 2012. Mr Campbell was given tests and chest x-rays. Mr Meadows said: “There was no concern anything untoward had happened to Mr Campbell.”
He died on April 17, 2012. A murder investigation took place, but there was insufficient evidence for prosecution.
Mr Campbell’s two daughters, Hazel and Rona, both attended the inquest – which is expected to last two weeks.