Jack Palmer represents the Metropolitan Police in the inquest into the death of James Stow

James Stow, a vulnerable homeless man who had absconded on 25 September 2021 from Croydon University Hospital whilst he was detained under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983, was found deceased in a woodland in South London on 18 November 2021. A missing person investigation had been conducted by the Metropolitan Police Service which was brought to a conclusion once Mr Stow was discharged from section on 8 November 2021. Mr Stow had been receiving physical medical treatment at Croydon University Hospital following his admission after a previous abscondment from a secure mental health unit at The Lambeth Hospital had ended with his collapsing in the street.

A previous hearing in July 2025 was abandoned and the jury discharged following disclosure issues concerning one of the involved NHS Trusts.

After a further 9 day inquest between 23 February 2025 – 5 March 2026, His Majesty’s Coroner ruled that the evidence did not safely establish any causative link between acts or omissions of the Metropolitan Police Service and Mr Stow’s tragic death.

Jack Palmer represented the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Jack is an experienced inquests barrister, appearing led and unled.