Moyra Stockill was found dead after being taken from Middlesbrough’s St Luke’s Hospital to the town’s police station over an alleged fracas at the mental health unit in December 2003.

The 61-year-old, of Sherburn, North Yorkshire, had a history of self-harm and had made previous attempts to choke herself. She was under constant observation in the hospital ward.

Yesterday, her daughter, Clare Barker, gave evidence at Teesside Coroner’s Court.

She told how her mother had never been in trouble until she became ill, and said she immediately contacted the police station to warn officers of her unstable condition.

Recounting events on the day her mother died, she said: “There had been problems during the morning, she had put tissue in her mouth and was struggling to breathe, she also broke her glasses and tried to swallow a lens.

“She was put in a room and she put a chair behind the door to stop people getting in.”

She said her mother was then arrested and taken to Middlesbrough police station.

“I was shocked to receive a phone call, I was stunned she had been arrested and didn’t have a police escort to the station,”

she said.

“I told the police that my mother was not to be left on her own under any circumstances.

I told them I wanted it recorded that she must not be left on her own for one second or she would choke herself.”

Shortly after making the request, she told the jury that she received a call from the station urging her to get there as soon as possible.

“I knew she was dead,” she said.

Speaking of her loss, she said: “I just cannot describe how I feel. I feel appalled and disgusted and feel let down.

“St Luke’s have made a gross misjudgment by sending my mother on her own.

“I want to know what action can be taken to protect every other psychiatric patient in the country, because I know my mother’s death could have been avoided.”

The inquest is expected to last up to six weeks.