Teesside Coroner’s Court heard how Nichola Green ignored Michael Mulvey’s recommendation after a patient hit a number of staff.

Moyra Stockill was arrested at St Luke’s Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and taken to the town’s police station where she was found dead in a cell after stuffing toilet paper down her throat.

Nursing assistant Gail Freeman said the 61-year-old from Sherburn, North Yorkshire, had been problematic in the hours leading up to her arrest in December 2003.

“It was a horrendous morning because she was swallowing things and hitting staff,”

she said.

She accepted staff had found it very frustrating they were not making progress with Mrs Stockill’s care and that her behaviour was not improving.

Ruth Bundey, who is representing Mrs Stockill’s family, asked if she had spoken to Ms Green about her decision to call the police.

Miss Freeman replied: “He (Michael Mulvey) didn’t want the police to be called, but she said she would do it anyway.”

The hearing has been told that Mrs Stockill was illegally removed from the hospital because the correct procedures had not been followed.

The inquest continues.