Sam Malcolm Taylor
Sam Taylor was found dead in a tent by the River Wye. Herefordshire Council owed him a duty of care and later admitted failings but only after a damming report was issued by the coroner’s office placing blame firmly with Herefordshire Council.
The coroner issued a Regulation 28 report (see below) which included a clear statement that action should be taken by Herefordshire Council to prevent future deaths. Tash Ashby died six weeks later.
Natasha Jade Ashby
Natasha Jade Ashby, known as Tasha, died on 7 August 2023, aged 21. Like Sam Taylor she was owed a duty of protection by the council and was living in a tent on Hereford bus station’s car park.
An inquest into her death has been adjourned to further investigate whether ‘systemic failures’ by Herefordshire Council also contributed to her untimely death.
THEMATIC REVIEW: PREMATURE DEATHS
In March 2022 a report for Herefordshire Safeguarding Adults Board was prepared by Professor Michael Preston-Shoot and Mike Ward.
This report was published almost eighteen months BEFORE Tasha’s death. It highlighted significant poor practice and made several recommendations.
This report, it’s recommendations and whether or not they were followed or acted on in a timely manner by the Herefordshire Safeguarding Partnership* should form consideration as part of Tasha’s inquest.
*Various boards made up from key safeguarding partners including: Herefordshrie Council, West Merica Police and Crime Commissioner, NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, West Mercia Youth Justice Team.