Man took his own life in prison after he was charged with trying to murder his partner

A Yorkshire army veteran, who was accused of trying to murder his partner, tragically took his own life while in custody. Donald Livesey, 54, was found injured in his cell at Leeds Prison and sadly passed away in hospital the next day.

Mr Livesey had been held on remand for four months when he died. He had a history of substance misuse and depression, and had self-harmed both inside and outside of prison. He had told prison staff that he was a military veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It was initially recorded that this was Mr Livesey's first time in prison. However, he later suggested to staff that he had been in prison over 20 years ago. Just two days before arriving in prison, he had attempted to take his own life. While in police custody, he had tried to jump out of a moving police vehicle, according to investigators, YorkshireLive reports.

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An investigation into his death in custody in November 2021 by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman found 'some gaps' in his mental health care. Several recommendations were made following these findings.

A report by Kimberley Bingham, acting Ombudsman, said: "I am concerned that healthcare staff did not share information on an incident of self-harm in prison with prison staff, which would have informed care planning. I also note that when Mr Livesey was segregated while on an ACCT (procedures to support those at risk of suicide), staff did not document which other options had been considered. These factors are unlikely to have played a part in his death but might impact on outcomes for other prisoners if they are not addressed."

The report also