Senior Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire has suspended an inquest and notified the Director of Public Prosecutions

July 02 2025

Senior Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire has suspended an inquest and notified the Director of Public Prosecutions that it appeared to him that the death was likely due to a homicide offence.

Sky Lewis was a 16 year-old looked after child who was placed at a children’s home in West Wales for the purpose of psychological therapy.  After three months at the care home, she was found unconscious in her room after having used a ligature and died a couple of days later.

After hearing three weeks of evidence about the decision to place her at the children’s home and how she was cared for once there, the Senior Coroner has today decided to suspend the inquest and refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions following a submission by the family that the inquest should be so suspended because of evidence of corporate manslaughter by the care home.

Christian J Howells and Lewis Harrison represented the family, instructed by Alice Helm of Irwin Mitchell.

Cathryn McGahey KC represented Cardiff City Council, instructed by David Jones of in-house legal services.

Nia Gowman represented Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, instructed by Lucy Dobson of NWSSP Legal & Risk.