Inmate died after refusing aid

David Nezami refused treatment for diabetes

A convicted drug dealer died in prison because he refused treatment for diabetes, an inquest has ruled.

David Nezami, 50, was found naked in his cell on 6 November last year - a week after being admitted to Bedford Prison.

Coroner David Morris said prison staff and doctors at the local hospital did all they should have done for him.

But Nezami made it clear he was not going to co-operate, went into a coma and died as a result.

The inquest, held in Bedford, heard that Nezami was awaiting sentence after conviction for drug offences and was expecting a long sentence.

He had apparently also spoken to friends about ending his life.

Refused insulin

He was placed on the "at risk" register and kept in the prison's health care unit so that staff could keep him under observation.

The jury was told that Nezami refused to take the insulin he needed unless they also gave him the drug diamorphine - which he was taking on the streets.

The inquest also heard that he could not be forced to take his medication because there was nothing mentally wrong with him.

Mr Morris told the jury that they could not return a verdict of suicide because he had not done anything pro-active to kill himself.

The jury returned a verdict of death due to natural causes brought on by his own neglect.

On Tuesday an inquest heard that a prisoner charged with drug dealing killed himself at Bedford Prison.

Gary Horth, 30, from Peterborough, was found hanged by his bed sheet the morning after he was taken there on remand in September 2003.