A Welsh man who once showed promise on the football pitch has died in prison just days after receiving a custodial sentence for theft and drug-related crimes, a Swansea inquest has revealed.
Steven Dean Sargeant, known to friends and family as Dean, passed away in his cell at HMP Swansea on 21 December 2022. Sargeant, who was 46 years old and originally from Llanelli, had a well-documented history of difficulties with alcohol and substance abuse, according to evidence presented at Swansea Coroners’ Court on Friday.
As a younger man, Sargeant had been regarded as a talented footballer, even playing for Swansea City’s youth development sides. However, his life took a downward turn as he struggled with longstanding addiction issues. The inquest heard that these problems eventually led to periods of homelessness and repeated encounters with the criminal justice system.
Upon his admission to the Swansea prison on 12 December, Sargeant underwent a healthcare assessment. A nurse noted that Sargeant was experiencing anxiety and depression and admitted to consuming eight cans of lager on the day of his arrival. The nurse’s report also confirmed Sargeant’s extensive background of substance misuse and highlighted that he had been the victim of an assault only a month before his incarceration.
Despite these concerns, the prison’s medical team did not record any major health worries in the days immediately following Sargeant’s entry to HMP Swansea. That changed, however, on the morning of 21 December. At around 7am, the emergency alarm was activated from Sargeant’s cell by his cellmate, David Ross, who found Sargeant cold to the touch and unresponsive.
Medical staff responded rapidly to the emergency call, providing CPR, oxygen, and administering adrenaline in an attempt to revive Sargeant. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead before 8am.
Mr Ross told the inquest that the night before, Sargeant had appeared both intoxicated and delirious. While these observations raised concerns about possible substance use, pathologist Dr John Williams, who conducted a post-mortem examination, said there was no clear evidence to explain these symptoms based solely on his findings.
Dr Williams reported that Sargeant displayed significant signs of bronchopneumonia and emphysema. A subsequent toxicology analysis identified the presence of diazepam, methadone, and promethazine in Sargeant’s blood. However, the court was informed that all substances were within prescribed or therapeutic ranges, suggesting they were unlikely to have directly resulted in his death.
After considering all the evidence, the senior coroner, Aled Gruffydd, concluded that Sargeant’s death was due to natural causes rather than any external factors or direct consequences of substance misuse.
The circumstances surrounding Sargeant’s final days highlight the ongoing challenges faced by many individuals who enter the prison system with complex healthcare needs, notably those relating to addiction and mental health.
The case also serves as a reminder of the impact that years of addiction and precarious living conditions can have on long-term health, particularly when underlying conditions such as respiratory disease remain unaddressed.
In the wider context, questions remain about how best to support vulnerable people both within and outside the prison environment, as authorities and health professionals continue to search for solutions to address the interconnected issues of substance abuse, homelessness and repeat offending.