Mohamud Hassan: No cause found for post-arrest death, inquest hears

Mohamud Hassan died after being found unresponsive at a flat in Cardiff

The cause of a man's death hours after being released from custody has been called "unascertained" by a forensic pathologist at an inquest.

Mohamud Hassan, 24, died on 9 January 2021 after being found unresponsive at a flat on Newport Road, Cardiff.

The previous evening he had been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and was released without charge.

Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard there was no evidence injury played a part in Mr Hassan's death.

Dr Deryk James told the inquest he had carried out a full post-mortem examination, but could not identify a cause of death.

He said it was possible Mr Hassan may have died of a rare and undiagnosed heart condition, such as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which kills about 500 under-35s in the UK each year, but described this as "speculation".

Bruising was discovered on Mr Hassan's arms and body, which Dr James said could have been consistent with being held or restrained, but added this had "occurred well before death" and there was no evidence to suggest it was a factor.

Toxicology screening tests were carried out which detected traces of cocaine and cannabis in Mr Hassan's blood and urine.

He also had an injury to his mouth which had been stitched after he slipped and fell against a wall the month before his death, where he also lost a tooth and chipped another.

The court was also told Mr Hassan had a diagnosis of ADHD from 2017. He had been referred to the Community Mental Health Service but had not attended his appointment,

Earlier, two witness statements were read to the jury, including one, from Jamal Hassan, saying he had seen Mr Hassan on the morning of his release from Cardiff Bay Police Station where he said he had been assaulted, but could not remember what happened.

He said Mr Hassan showed him bruises on his ribs and arms "the size of golf balls".

Jamal Hassan said he and Mr Hassan returned to the flat on Newport Road where they smoked cannabis and "chilled" with a number of other people.

Mr Hassan later went into a small windowless box room in the basement flat and went to sleep.

Jamal Hassan said he found his friend lying face down and was unable to wake him. He told the court paramedics had said he had been "dead for hours".

The inquest heard Mohamud Hassan had a diagnosis of ADHD from 2017

The jury was also shown police bodycam footage of when Mr Hassan was arrested.

Officers were called after reports of a fight at the Newport Road flat involving Mr Hassan and a woman called Maxine Campbell, who has since died.

PC Ryan Lewis said Mr Hassan was sitting next to Ms Campbell, who appeared frightened and scared.

In the footage, Mr Hassan can be heard shouting at police, telling them he cannot breathe, but the officers reply he can and no pressure is being placed on his neck.

He was also heard shouting he was "having a fit" three times.

While handcuffed, he can be seen shouting to the officers: "They're hurting my mouth. They're bruising my hands".

PC Lewis said when he and his colleagues arrived, Mr Hassan was spitting out of a window in the direction of his fellow officers.

He was called back to the flat the following day after Mr Hassan's death.

The inquest continues.