James Smith was found to have tried to cover up his negligence by creating fake records of checks on the prisoner he never actually made.

Norwich Crown Court heard the 44-year-old had been working a night shift at Norwich Prison as an operational support grade - or prison support worker - who had been responsible for carrying out hourly checks on vulnerable inmates at risk from suicide.

Of those Smith had been responsible for checking was Alistair McKenzie, a diagnosed schizophrenic who had not been taking his medication and who had recently attempted self harm.

Alistair McKenzie (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Duncan Atkinson, prosecuting, said it had been agreed McKenzie - who was in prison having been jailed after he admitted an arson offence in August 2019 -should be observed twice an hour, day and night.

During his shift in October 2021, Smith had been responsible for carrying out checks on the at risk prisoner, as well as others. 

But Mr Atkinson said Smith “failed” to carry out appropriate checks between 9.30pm on October 14 and 6.40am the following day.

Norwich Prison (Image: Newsquest)

"He should've been checked twice an hour," said the prosecutor.

The officer  was supposed to have carried a total of 19 checks on McKenzie but had just done two of them.

Smith had also missed 15 other checks on another eight vulnerable inmates.

The court heard cameras near to McKenzie's cell showed Smith had not carried out the checks when he said he had or was supposed to.

Smith had told colleagues he had "fallen asleep".

The defendant had completed the records, falsifying them, despite not having completed the requisite checks. 

Shortly after 9am on October 15 McKenzie was found hanging from a ligature in his cell.

Paramedics were called but McKenzie was declared dead.

Smith, of Green Lane, Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, appeared at court earlier this month for sentencing.

James Smith (inset) and Norwich Prison (Image: Linkedin/Newsquest)

He had previously admitted charges of having wilfully neglected to perform his duties as a public officer in that he failed to conduct the observations.

Judge Katharine Moore said: "This vulnerable prisoner was left alone by you for lengthy periods."

Judge Katharine Moore (Image: Newsquest)

She said in all eight vulnerable prisoners had been under his charge on that shift.

"But you let them down because you didn't check on them as often as you were instructed to," said Judge Moore.

The judge said he then "falsified" records to cover up his failings. 

Imposing 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 14 months, Judge Moore said these were "deliberate and repeated failings to carry out checks".  

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Before Smith was sentenced, the court heard a statement from McKenzie's sister who described him as a "kind, gentle and caring man".

She said having discovered what she now knows about her brother's last hours and what had happened caused "deep grief".

Stephen Spence KC, mitigating, said the defendant "understands how serious his failings were".

He said Smith had entered guilty pleas which indicated his remorse for this "one lapse" in his 12 years of "exemplary" public service.

Mr Spence said his behaviour that night was completely out of character for Smith, a lone parent responsible for two children.

The barrister said checks carried out by other officers seemed to show the time when McKenzie took his life would seem to have been between 8am and 8.55am - by which time Smith had gone off shift.

Smith was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Samaritans can be reached 24/7 on 116 123 for completely confidential support.

The NHS First Response Service is available 24/7 on 111 option 2, providing urgent mental health support for people in Norfolk and Suffolk.

© Norwich Evening News