An inquest has heard that Peter Lynch appeared confused and behaved unusually after his arrest over disorder outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers. A custody sergeant said, in hindsight, Lynch should have been referred to mental-health specialists, making the evidence relevant to the inquiry into whether opportunities for support were missed before his death in prison.

Lynch, 61, was found dead at HMP Moorland on 19 October 2024, two months into a two-year sentence; a pathologist said he died by hanging. After his 10 August arrest, he repeatedly identified himself as “Peter, living man, son of Michael and Lily”, declined food and drink, and would not provide his surname. The sergeant said he did not recognise warning signs at the time and still considered Lynch fit for interview; Lynch was seen over medication but not mental health.