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Triple killer's behaviour in custody 'bizarre'

Johanna CarrExeter
Devon and Cornwall Police A grab from police body worn camera footage showing Alexander Lewis-Ranwell sitting with his head out of the back door of a police car. The yellow and blue livery of the police vehicle is partially visible. Lewis-Ranwell is looking towards the camera and is wearing a dark coloured hat with light coloured fleece covering the forehead area and ear flaps. Devon and Cornwall Police
Alexander Lewis-Ranwell was arrested twice in the days before the killings

A man who killed three elderly men during a psychotic episode after being released from police custody behaved bizarrely while in his cell, an inquest has heard.

Alexander Lewis-Ranwell, now 35, was arrested and released twice before he killed Anthony Payne, 80, and twins Roger and Dick Carter, 84 in Exeter on 10 February 2019.

An inquest into their deaths heard healthcare technician Alan Harness assessed Lewis-Ranwell during his second period of detention in Barnstaple police station on 9 February.

Harness told jurors Lewis-Ranwell did not disclose his medical or mental health history, which jurors previously heard included a diagnosis of "drug-induced psychosis or paranoid schizophrenia".

Devon and Cornwall Police Grab from CCTV camera showing Alexander Lewis-Ranwell wearing a wool jumper leaning on a light-coloured counter while being booked into custody. He is standing on a blue linoleum-type floor which has a white cross on it. Behind him are the legs of two officers and an open black roll-top rucksack leaned against the wall.Devon and Cornwall Police
The inquest at County Hall in Exeter heard evidence about Lewis-Ranwell's two arrests and periods of custody

The inquest at County Hall in Exeter previously heard Lewis-Ranwell had been detained under the Mental Health Act from June to September 2016, and August to November the following year.

It has also heard how Lewis-Ranwell's mother Jill Lewis-Ranwell repeatedly tried to warn police not to release her son from custody on 8 February because he was mentally unwell and could be aggressive and violent.

Harriet Gilchrist, junior counsel to the coroner, showed Harness notes he made on 9 February and said in total, the two assessments lasted six minutes and determined Lewis-Ranwell was fit to be detained and fit to be interviewed.

Harness, then a healthcare technician for G4S, said he heard Lewis-Ranwell's behaviour had been "quite challenging" but from his observation and experience: "I believe he understood what he was doing and how he was behaving."

His notes said Lewis-Ranwell, who initially consented and then withdrew consent for each assessment, was "deliberately choosing to misinterpret any conversation".

Image shows row of red brick terrace houses with white UPVC windows. There is a large white tent in front of one of the houses and a blue and yellow police car is parked to the right of it. There is also a small white van parked in front of the tent
A friend found Anthony Payne dead by a bed in an upstairs bedroom at his Bonhay Road address

Harness said his second assessment of Lewis-Ranwell happened between 16:40 and 16:44 after Lewis-Ranwell had raised concerns about smelling semtex or explosives or gas.

"He believed he was being poisoned by the police," Harness said, adding Lewis-Ranwell also complained of having low blood sugar and claimed he was diabetic.

Harness said Lewis-Ranwell, who was dressed in anti-suicide clothing provided to him in custody, did not appear to be suffering low blood sugar and he thought "perhaps it's more of a mental health issue".

His notes read: "Behaviour is ridiculous and bizarre. I feel however this is premeditated and not clinical in origin."

Anthony Payne in a passport-type photograph looking at the camera. He had dark grey hair and a neutral expression.
Anthony Payne was killed by Alexander Lewis-Ranwell in Exeter in February 2019

Harness said in a statement, Dr Mihail Pichiu - a forensic medical examiner employed by G4S who the inquest heard was also called into examine Lewis-Ranwell - walked into his office and his "manner and approach were abrupt and unexpected".

Harness told jurors he "picked up on the fact he was fed up being here" and that he had told Pichiu, Lewis-Ranwell was "behaving quite oddly".

He added there was a general feeling of "surprise" in the custody centre when Pichiu deemed Lewis-Ranwell fit to be released with no further assessment.

Nick Armstrong KC, representing Payne and the Carter families, asked Harness if he was aware of all of Lewis-Ranwell's behaviour in his cell, which included spilling water, urinating, exposing himself and masturbating.

Harness said he did not see the CCTV and was not prepared to sepculate why only the water incident was recorded in the custody log.

Armstrong said Harness was saying Pichiu was "not listening, not checking documents, he's being arrogant and you are saying you're surprised at the conclusion".

Armstrong said that was a "big thing to say about a colleague" and Harness must have been "very concerned" about Pichiu.

He asked if Harness could have done more.

Harness said: "I'm not going to speculate."

When asked again, he added: "With hindsight it is very easy to say that. I don't think I could have done more."

The inquest previously heard Payne and the Carters all died of head injuries and Lewis-Ranwell was charged with their murders.

At a trial later in 2019, Lewis-Ranwell was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and was given a direct hospital order.

The inquest continues.

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