A HOSPITAL has been absolved from any blame over the death of a mental patient who spent more than 50 years in custody.

Unfit to plead to sex attack charges in 1952, because of his mental state, Middlesbrough-born Stephen Agnew was sent to Durham Prison, and then transferred to Broadmoor Hospital, where he spent the next 32 years of his life.

From there he was transferred to the secure Hutton Unit at St Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough, where he died from an asthma attack in December 2002.

Cleveland Police were involved in the investigations into the 77-year-old's death because he was detained under the Mental Health Act - so was regarded as being in custody.

An inquest jury at Teesside Coroner's Court, Middlesbrough, yesterday returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

Coroner Michael Sheffield said: "I am entirely satisfied there is no evidence of gross failure on the part of the hospital authorities.

"All the evidence indicates that Mr Agnew - despite his physical and mental problems - has been looked after by the hospital authorities in St Luke's."

Home Office Pathologist Dr James Sunter told the inquest that the evidence pointed to Mr Agnew dying from an asthma attack.

Mr Agnew served in the Royal Navy throughout the Second World War, but was discharged in 1947 because of mental illness.

His sister, who did not wish to be named, said after the inquest: "He went off to the war happy-go-lucky, but he came back a wreck. He had seen a lot of horrors, of friends going down like pennies; that is what turned his head. Going through what he did made him go funny. I am glad he is now laid to rest."

She said her parents visited her brother after he was transferred to St Lukes but did not tell her where he was.