Police apologise to Sheffield man arrested over wife’s death as inquest finds ‘no suspicious circumstances’

Sugra Begum was rushed to the Northern General Hospital with acute renal failure where she died on December 20 2019.

An inquest held at Sheffield’s Medico Legal Centre this morning (Tuesday, February 23 2021) heard that in 2018 Ms Begum suffered a hypoxic brain injury as a result of a rare condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The 32-year-old was a resident of Mickley Hall Care Home in Totley, which cares for people with neurological disabilities, and following her death a police investigation was launched after staff there raised concerns she may have been poisoned.

Staff said Ms Begum was prone to intermittent bouts of vomiting which had become increasingly frequent in the weeks leading to her death.

They also claimed she had lost ‘a lot of weight’ and ‘seemed to fall ill’ following visits from her husband.

Detective Inspector Robert Platts, of South Yorkshire Police, told the inquest that officers had made the ‘difficult decision’ to arrest Ms Begum’s husband on suspicion of murder.

He was later released under investigation but it was ‘soon clear’ he had had ‘no involvement’ in his wife’s death, he said.

Police also ruled out ‘anything untoward’ from care home staff or medics who visited the care home to administer treatment to Ms Begum, determining they had ‘nothing but her best interest at heart’.

DI Platts said: "I’m satisfied that Sugra was not unlawfully killed. Her husband has lost his wife through no fault of his own, and unfortunately due to information received at the time he was arrested and held under investigation.

"I’d like to pass on my sincere condolences and regrets to the families. I do have to say, on reflection, that the action taken was necessary.”

DI Platts said that a key component of the investigation was the toxicology report, which revealed metformin toxicity.

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Dr James Gray, a GP partner at Meadowgreen Health Centre in Jordanthorpe, explained that metformin was a prescription medication that Sugra took twice a day in order to treat her type 2 diabetes.

"It is the standard procedure,” he said, “and in my experience the patients tend to tolerate it exceedingly well.”

Dr Gray was one of three doctors who visited Ms Begum in the days leading up to her death to treat her vomiting episodes.

Despite the fact she had been feeling unwell, Dr Gray described her as ‘sat up chatting’ and ‘alert and mobile, having just eaten’ and she was given anti-sickness medication.

On December 18 she was also given a routine blood test. Blood test results from June 2019 had showed ‘completely normal renal function’, added Dr Gray.

By the time the results came back the next day, showing that Ms Begum had extreme renal failure, staff had already dialled 999 after her blood sugar dropped to a reading of just 2.

Dr Gray said this had come as a ‘massive shock’ to him and other attending GPs given Ms Begum’s good ‘clinical conditions’.

"In the context of a patient who was alert and mobile with a history of long episodes of vomiting, I would consider the treatment given appropriate,” he said.

"I’d say that all reasonable action was taken by myself and my colleagues. Unfortunately treatment she was given appropriately led to a change in her clinical condition.”

Senior coroner David Urpeth concluded that Ms Begum had died of complications following necessary medical treatment.

He told the inquest: “It is clear to me that Sugra was appropriately treated by everyone who did their best to look after her.

"In relation to the police investigation, you’ve heard why that was carried out.

"Society would be critical if concerns were raised and police did not investigate, so that any wrongdoings can be brought to justice.

"But it transpired in this case that someone who did not do anything wrong was subject to an investigation.

"That being said, I have no criticisms of South Yorkshire Police- I believe their actions were justified in the circumstances.

”Clearly Ms Begum was not well and had significant health conditions.

“But the fact remains that she died at a very young age and that is not only a tragedy for her, but also those she leaves behind, and I pass on my genuine condolences to her family.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.