The Old Bailey
Trial 29 October 2024 - 9 June 2025
Sentencing 10-11 November 2025
An NHS Trust has been fined £565,000 and a former ward manager has been sentenced today after being found guilty of failing to ensure the health and safety of a mental health inpatient.
In a historic seven month trial earlier this year, North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and a former ward manager were found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety Act, following the death of 22 year old Alice Figueiredo in one of its hospitals in 2015.
The trust was fined £565,000 over the health and safety breach, and £200,000 costs. Whilst the ward manager was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, plus 300 hours of unpaid work.
Alice died a self-inflicted death on 7 July 2015 whilst a mental health inpatient at Goodmayes Hospital, run by NELFT.
Alice was a much loved daughter, sister, partner and friend to many. Her family describe her as having a âluminous, kind, thoughtful, generous, warm, humorous and deeply loving presenceâ and a bright future ahead of her.
Alice was a very creative young woman who loved the arts. She was passionate about art, music, being a member of numerous choirs and orchestras; she loved literature, writing, poetry, acting, and cooking, especially baking. She always stood up for what she believed in and tried to help and support those in need around her.
She had been head girl at her school, a member of the UK Youth Parliament, Chair of the Havering Youth Council and worked with local police to improve relations between the youth community and police. She was an impressive public speaker and also a strong advocate for the mental health community.
Alice had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and an eating disorder. She had a history of hospitalisation and self-harm. Prior to February 2015 she also had periods where she lived a very full, motivated and enthusiastic life in the community.
Alice was admitted to Goodmayes Hospital in February 2015, where she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Between February and July that year, she tried to harm herself with plastic bin liners and bags on 18 occasions prior to the fatal incident. Despite this, they were not removed from the ward, nor was she prevented from accessing them.
On 7 July, Alice was able to access the communal toilet on the ward and ligatured using a bin liner. She died shortly after.
NELFT was convicted for breaching Sections 3(1) and 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety Act for failing to ensure the safety of non-employees. The former ward manager was convicted for breaching Sections 7(1) and 33(1) of the Health and Safety Act for failing to take reasonable care for health and safety.
The charges were announced by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in September 2023 following a Metropolitan police investigation into Aliceâs death.
Jane Figueiredo, mother of Alice, said: "Instead of the joy, love, affection and laughter Alice brought to my life, I've been left with the silent, empty void. I have really struggled at times with my own overwhelming sense of despair at having to face life without Alice. We all have.
Since Alice died, I've tried to be the torchbearer for Alice's truth, and it's Alice spirit and courage that I've carried in my heart and which have given me the strength to pursue accountability over this past decade, for what she was subjected to in this hospital, leading directly to her death."
Impact statement.
Max Figueiredo, Alice's stepfather, said: "North East London Foundation Trust had a strapline on all their propaganda - 'Best care by the best people'. Best care by the best people - I think not. The defence you put up in this courtroom was littered with lies, exaggerations and dreadful excuses.
As I have always maintained - the senior management of NELFT were not so much asleep at the wheel as comatose, full of hubris, entitlement and cloaked in a culture of impunity. You have finally been called out by this jury.
Alice's loss will be felt by many who loved her and especially by me. I will never fully move on because the loss is heart breaking and devastating - something that I will take to my grave."
Impact statement.
Deborah Coles, Director at INQUEST, said: "This outcome is a testament to Aliceâs familyâs extraordinary fight for truth in the face of a decade of denial and defensiveness.
Alice was failed by those who should have cared for her and helped her get better. The Trustâs shameful lack of candour and their refusal to take responsibility has only deepened her familyâs pain. Their cavalier complacency and indifference to learning has only led to further deaths and harm.
The roll call of death and neglect will only continue until mental health services across the UK enact systemic change and truly centre care and support."
ENDS
The family are supported by INQUEST senior caseworker, Selen Cavcav.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS FOLLOWING DEATHS
This is the first time an NHS Trust has been charged with corporate manslaughter over a self-inflicted death in a mental health unit.
There have been a number of successful prosecutions brought by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) against NHS trusts and private hospitals in relation to deaths of patients in their care. These include:
- Ellame Ford-Dunn, 16, died a self-inflicted death after absconding from Bluefin ward in Worthing Hospital, run by University hospitals Sussex NHS trust (UHSussex). The trust pleaded guilty last month to a failure to provide safe care and treatment resulting in avoidable harm. Media coverage.
- Matthew Caseby, 23, died a self-inflicted death after absconding from the Woodbourne Priory hospital in Birmingham in 2020 where he was an NHS inpatient. In March 2024, Priory Healthcare Ltd was fined £650,000 after admitting to criminal failures for exposing Matthew to serious risk of harm. Media release.
- Connor Sparrowhawk, 18, died after drowning whilst in an NHS care unit in Oxford on 4 July 2013. Teresa Colvin, 45, died in Hampshire in 2012. Southern Health NHS Trust was fined £1million and £950,000 after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety laws over their respective deaths. The trust was prosecuted by HSE. Media coverage.
- Amy El-Keria, 14, died a self-inflicted death whilst an NHS funded patient in a private mental health hospital in East Sussex run by the Priory Group. The Priory Group were fined £300,000 over breaches of health and safety law in relation to Amyâs death in April 2019. The charges were brought by HSE. Media release.
- NHS North Essex Partnership Trust was prosecuted by HSE and fined £1.5million in 2021 for safety failings over the deaths of 11 patients. Media coverage.
Previous media releases
Alice Figueiredo
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The Old Bailey
Trial 29 October 2024 - 9 June 2025
Sentencing 10-11 November 2025
An NHS Trust has been fined £565,000 and a former ward manager has been sentenced today after being found guilty of failing to ensure the health and safety of a mental health inpatient.
In a historic seven month trial earlier this year, North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and a former ward manager were found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety Act, following the death of 22 year old Alice Figueiredo in one of its hospitals in 2015.
The trust was fined £565,000 over the health and safety breach, and £200,000 costs. Whilst the ward manager was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, plus 300 hours of unpaid work.
Alice died a self-inflicted death on 7 July 2015 whilst a mental health inpatient at Goodmayes Hospital, run by NELFT.
Alice was a much loved daughter, sister, partner and friend to many. Her family describe her as having a âluminous, kind, thoughtful, generous, warm, humorous and deeply loving presenceâ and a bright future ahead of her.
Alice was a very creative young woman who loved the arts. She was passionate about art, music, being a member of numerous choirs and orchestras; she loved literature, writing, poetry, acting, and cooking, especially baking. She always stood up for what she believed in and tried to help and support those in need around her.
She had been head girl at her school, a member of the UK Youth Parliament, Chair of the Havering Youth Council and worked with local police to improve relations between the youth community and police. She was an impressive public speaker and also a strong advocate for the mental health community.
Alice had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and an eating disorder. She had a history of hospitalisation and self-harm. Prior to February 2015 she also had periods where she lived a very full, motivated and enthusiastic life in the community.
Alice was admitted to Goodmayes Hospital in February 2015, where she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Between February and July that year, she tried to harm herself with plastic bin liners and bags on 18 occasions prior to the fatal incident. Despite this, they were not removed from the ward, nor was she prevented from accessing them.
On 7 July, Alice was able to access the communal toilet on the ward and ligatured using a bin liner. She died shortly after.
NELFT was convicted for breaching Sections 3(1) and 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety Act for failing to ensure the safety of non-employees. The former ward manager was convicted for breaching Sections 7(1) and 33(1) of the Health and Safety Act for failing to take reasonable care for health and safety.
The charges were announced by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in September 2023 following a Metropolitan police investigation into Aliceâs death.
Jane Figueiredo, mother of Alice, said: "Instead of the joy, love, affection and laughter Alice brought to my life, I've been left with the silent, empty void. I have really struggled at times with my own overwhelming sense of despair at having to face life without Alice. We all have.
Since Alice died, I've tried to be the torchbearer for Alice's truth, and it's Alice spirit and courage that I've carried in my heart and which have given me the strength to pursue accountability over this past decade, for what she was subjected to in this hospital, leading directly to her death."
Impact statement.
Max Figueiredo, Alice's stepfather, said: "North East London Foundation Trust had a strapline on all their propaganda - 'Best care by the best people'. Best care by the best people - I think not. The defence you put up in this courtroom was littered with lies, exaggerations and dreadful excuses.
As I have always maintained - the senior management of NELFT were not so much asleep at the wheel as comatose, full of hubris, entitlement and cloaked in a culture of impunity. You have finally been called out by this jury.
Alice's loss will be felt by many who loved her and especially by me. I will never fully move on because the loss is heart breaking and devastating - something that I will take to my grave."
Impact statement.
Deborah Coles, Director at INQUEST, said: "This outcome is a testament to Aliceâs familyâs extraordinary fight for truth in the face of a decade of denial and defensiveness.
Alice was failed by those who should have cared for her and helped her get better. The Trustâs shameful lack of candour and their refusal to take responsibility has only deepened her familyâs pain. Their cavalier complacency and indifference to learning has only led to further deaths and harm.
The roll call of death and neglect will only continue until mental health services across the UK enact systemic change and truly centre care and support."
ENDS
The family are supported by INQUEST senior caseworker, Selen Cavcav.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS FOLLOWING DEATHS
This is the first time an NHS Trust has been charged with corporate manslaughter over a self-inflicted death in a mental health unit.
There have been a number of successful prosecutions brought by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) against NHS trusts and private hospitals in relation to deaths of patients in their care. These include:
Previous media releases
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