A former private tutor from Romford who was jailed for sexually abusing children took his own life in prison just four months into his sentence, a report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has revealed.

Edward Lomas, 62, was serving a 12-year and six-month sentence at HMP Pentonville when he was found unresponsive in his cell on May 22, 2024. Despite the efforts of staff and paramedics, he could not be revived. In February this year, a coroner ruled his death was the result of suicide.

Warning Signs Ignored

The PPO report disclosed that Lomas had expressed suicidal thoughts to a prison chaplain, saying he sometimes wished he could “go to sleep and not wake up.” Despite this concerning statement, it appears no formal mental health intervention followed.

Shortly before his death, Lomas managed to hoard and illegally obtain prescription drugs inside the prison. The PPO criticised the lack of oversight and called for improved training for staff to identify and address the misuse of medication.

“There were clear gaps in the monitoring of medication at Pentonville,” the report stated. “Staff need better training to detect when inmates are stockpiling drugs.”

Convicted Abuser

Lomas was convicted in January 2024 of multiple child sexual offences. Details of his crimes, which shocked the local community, were not fully disclosed, but reports confirm they involved historical abuse over a number of years while he worked as a private tutor.

His sentence was to be served in a high-security Category B prison, with routine mental health checks and medication monitoring, both of which the report suggests were inadequately managed.

Calls for Change

The PPO’s investigation into Lomas’s death recommended that HMP Pentonville’s head of drug strategy and lead pharmacist work together to introduce officer training on medication management, particularly to prevent prisoners from stockpiling prescription drugs.

Mental health charities have since urged the Ministry of Justice to take suicide risk more seriously in cases involving recently sentenced inmates, especially those convicted of offences likely to place them at heightened risk in custody.

“Suicide is tragically common among offenders convicted of sexual abuse,” said a spokesperson for the Howard League for Penal Reform. “It is essential that prisons offer robust mental health support and staff are trained to recognise red flags.”

Background and Broader Context

HMP Pentonville has faced scrutiny in recent years over inmate welfare and overcrowding. The prison has one of the highest suicide rates in the UK, with watchdogs calling for urgent reforms.

Lomas’s case adds to growing concerns over the management of vulnerable prisoners, particularly those newly sentenced for high-profile crimes.

Support for Survivors

While news of Lomas’s suicide has closed one chapter, support continues for survivors of his abuse. Local safeguarding groups have reiterated that counselling and legal support services are available for victims.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, you can contact the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk.