A Hells Angel who was jailed for his part in a violent riot against a Black Lives Matters protest in Newcastle was found unresponsive in his cell just days into his sentence.
Colin Green, who was leader of the Tyne and Wear Chapter of the motorbike group, was 15 days into his two years and five months prison sentence for violent disorder when he was found unresponsive in his cell at HMP Northumberland on May 24, 2022.
A Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigation into his death reports that prison staff and paramedics tried to resuscitate Green for almost an hour, however their attempts were unsuccessful. A post-mortem report later concluded that the 58-year-old died from heart disease.
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The PPO investigation found that Green was taking medication for high blood pressure when he was sent to HMP Northumberland and health checks upon his arrival to the prison indicated that his blood pressure was within normal range.
But when a healthcare assistant completed observations on Green on May 22 it was found that his blood pressure had increased and the prison requested that his medication was renewed. Observations the following day recorded that Green's blood pressure was still high but no further action was required. The healthcare assistant chased up the prescription as Green had one tablet remaining.
At approximately 5.30am on May 24, the night operation support officer checked on Green and had no concerns. A prison custody officer (PCO) checked on him again at 9am and called out to him but got no response. She then noticed his chest was not moving.
She called for help from a nearby colleague who immediately started CPR on him while she called a 'code blue' to indicate a medical emergency for a prison who is unconscious or having breathing difficulties.
As staff in the prison's control room called for an ambulance, the PCO went to get the defibrillator and returned to Green with the equipment and support from a third member of staff. And one minute later, further prison and healthcare staff arrived at Green's cell and helped with providing CPR and first aid, the PPO reports.
At approximately 9.25am, paramedics arrived and assisted in giving Green CPR and first aid. However, at 9.49am, healthcare staff and paramedics agreed that CPR should be stopped and Green was pronounced dead.
An inquest into his death held on November 6, 2023, concluded that he died from natural causes.
During his sentencing hearing on May 9 2022, Newcastle Crown Court heard how Green, of Church Street, Sunderland, was among a mob who gathered at Grey's Monument in Newcastle. They were opposing a group demonstrating in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The court heard how shocking scenes unfolded as the "counter-protesters" attacked police and the other group by throwing cans, bottles and smoke grenades. Police officers, horses, dogs and members of the public were injured in the June 2020 riot.
Although Green didn't throw anything, Judge Edward Bindloss said he was an "influential figure" as the leader of the local Hells Angels.
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