Published: 06 January 2012
by PETER GRUNER

IN an historic verdict, a coroner has recorded that lack of treatment for obesity was the likely cause of death for a talented young artist from Upper Holloway who was autistic.

Coroner Andrew Walker said he would consider issuing a nationwide warning to health authorities following the tragic death of 20-year-old Harry Horne-Roberts in a care home.

Recording a narrative verdict at the resumed inquest into the death of Mr Horne-Roberts, from Cheverton Road, Mr Walker said it was his firm belief that the young man would have been alive today if the care home in Haringey had employed a professional dietician and provided a proper exercise regime.

The inquest highlighted the serious lack of capability among care workers in dealing with rising obesity and its effect on young people with learning difficulties, who are often compulsive and “comfort” eaters.

Harry, a popular and gregarious young man, died of heart failure in his sleep on December 16, 2009.

He was 5ft 11in and weighed 20 stone.

A former pupil at The Bridge School in Holloway, he was 18 when he moved to supported accommodation at Hillgreen Care Home in Tottenham, where he subsequently died.

His mother, Jennifer Horne-Roberts, a barrister, and her architect husband Keith questioned witnesses at the day-long inquest in Barnet on Wednesday.

The couple had called for an inquest into the death of their son because of their lack of satisfaction with an earlier coroner’s report in 2010, which concluded that their son died from natural causes.

The court heard that Harry, described as “highly intelligent”, had been given a powerful anti-psychotic drug, Chlorpromazine, to calm him down prior to his death.

The medication had been administered despite the fact that he was not psychotic and there had been no consultation with his parents as was the rule under the Mental Capacity Act.

Despite a high blood pressure reading taken by the care home’s GP, there had been no follow-up readings, which is the normal practice.

Pathologist Professor Rupert Risdon, who examined Harry following his death, found fatty tissue around the heart, a sure sign of obesity.

“I could see, however, no signs of damage as a result of drugs given to the young man,” he said.

“My view was that Harry died from heart disease related to obesity.”

Dr Jane Radley, a consultant psychiatrist at the home, said she accepted that parents should have been consulted before Harry was given drugs, but it may not have made any difference to the outcome.

She added: “We did not notice evidence of significant side-effects from the medication or evidence that it might cause weight gain.”

The home’s GP, Dr D Prasad, said he had looked forward to meeting Harry and was extremely sorry when he died.

“We did discuss his weight with care workers and there were signs it was coming down,” he said.

“I think everyone did all they could. But I agree that someone specifically should have been more responsible for seeing that he maintained a balanced diet and exercised regularly.”

The court heard that Haringey Primary Care Trust had done much to improve facilities in care homes since Harry’s death, including putting more emphasis on diet and exercise.

Speaking after the case, Mrs Horne-Roberts welcomed the coroner’s verdict, even though he had not accepted that the drugs might have contributed to Harry’s death.

“I think it’s over now,” she said.

“His weight did clearly contribute to his death and this should have been monitored.

The fact that his weight was high for so long and nothing was done about it shows what we would call neglect, although it doesn’t fulfill the legal definition.

“We can’t bring Harry back and it was a desperate time for us. But we can at least ensure it doesn’t happen to other people with special needs.”

There is a memorial bench to Harry at St Michael’s Church, Highgate, and his name will be included on a stained glass window. He had exhibited his work throughout London.

A new e-book, Harry’s Story, has been written and the Horne-Roberts are planning to write about the two inquests into his death.

Mr Horne-Roberts said that, with autism on the increase, there is a big concern about what happens to young people with special needs after they leave school.

“When Harry left school it was like he fell off a cliff,” he said.

“He loved Bridge School and was very engaged.

There was very little to do after he left.

All he had was a day centre in Islington for two days a week.”

Harry’s Story – A Brilliant Boy’s Short Life is on the internet at www.trust-for-autism.org.uk/HarrysStory/home.pdf.