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Report of the Inquiry into the circumstances of the Death of Bernard ...

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and now <strong>the</strong>y’re doing three years and we’re very easy people to vent <strong>the</strong>ir anger on. It<br />

was <strong>the</strong> “nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> job”.<br />

The alleged assault<br />

Mr Bowcock’s account<br />

10.12 In his written report to <strong>the</strong> adjudicating governor Mr Bowcock said that Mr Lodge<br />

returned to his cell and “I began to explain <strong>the</strong> rules and regulations pertaining to him<br />

during his stay on G wing. At this point he became agitated and lunged at me attempting<br />

to assault me.”<br />

10.13 According to <strong>the</strong> governor’s note <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> adjudication, Mr Bowcock confirmed in<br />

oral evidence that Mr Lodge moved towards him. The governor asked if this was in a<br />

threatening manner. The record says Mr Bowcock replied, “Yes, he raised his arms.” In<br />

reply to <strong>the</strong> governor’s question, he confirmed that he thought Mr Lodge was going to<br />

assault him.<br />

10.14 In his statement to <strong>the</strong> police and at <strong>the</strong> inquest Officer Bowcock said that Mr<br />

Lodge appeared aggressive on his return to <strong>the</strong> cell and was mumbling something. The<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers explained <strong>the</strong>y had found nothing, but his attitude was wrong and he should<br />

“keep his head down”. He said this “was a standard speech I would say to any prisoner.”<br />

Officer Bowcock said Mr Lodge appeared to believe he was being victimised but this was<br />

not <strong>the</strong> case.<br />

10.15 Officer Bowcock said he started to tell Mr Lodge about <strong>the</strong> rules which he had<br />

pinned on <strong>the</strong> noticeboard. Mr Lodge lunged. He was close to Officer Bowcock and<br />

raised his arm to him. Officer Bowcock said he stepped aside and pushed Mr Lodge <strong>into</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cell and grabbed his arm. A violent struggle followed. Officer Downs<br />

asked for <strong>the</strong> alarm to be raised and came to assist. They managed to get Mr Lodge on<br />

<strong>the</strong> floor where he went limp, passive but awake. O<strong>the</strong>r staff soon arrived and took over.<br />

Officer Bowcock and Officer Downs left <strong>the</strong> cell. Officer Bowcock denied hitting or<br />

lunging at Mr Lodge and denied ripping up photographs.<br />

10.16 Mr Bowcock told <strong>the</strong> inquiry that when Mr Lodge returned to <strong>the</strong> cell his whole<br />

demeanour had changed and he was agitated. He said Mr Lodge was in <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> cell by <strong>the</strong> toilet and made a movement towards him so that it seemed that if he had<br />

not moved out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> way Mr Lodge would have barged past as if he wasn’t <strong>the</strong>re. Mr<br />

74

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