Guardian prison columnist Erwin James drowned in Devon marina, inquest finds | Devon

A journalist and writer who wrote a highly acclaimed column articles in prison was concluded that he had drowned in the Devon Marina after spent one evening in a bar on the harbor.

The investigation in Exeter heard that Erwin James Monahan, who wrote a regular column for Guardian, the first example of his genre in British journalism, fell into the sea in Brixham in Devon.

Alison Longhorn, a judicial doctor of the region, concluded that James was 66 -year -old death and was caused by alcohol poisoning.

Longhorn said that James, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for two murders and was imprisoned for 20 years of imprisonment for two murders, said that they had a “lifetime alcohol problem”.

He said: “Those who knew him from the marina told the police to consume two bottles of whiskey a day. It was subjected to a ban on driving alcoholic vehicles after the fourth time for the fourth time in a three -year period.”

Longhorn said that on the evening of January 19, 2024, CCTV images were caught on the way back to the marina, shortly after midnight after James spent the night at the Blue Anchor bar.

He said: “It is seen that the boat walked unbalanced towards the pontoon in which he approached, and then fell over a railing. Then he stood up and disappeared by staggering towards another pontoon.

“When you fall over the railing, I think James hit his head before trying to go back to his boat and caused the head trauma and falls into the water.” His body was found in the marina the next morning.

James’ wife Margaret Monahan said in a statement that James met him as a teacher in Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire, where James was held. He then visited him in a prison in Nottinghamshire. They fell in love and married.

After being released, they lived in East Sussex and North Wales. James bought a boat called Faithful, who was approaching Brixham.

Monahan said James’ mother died in a car accident when he was seven years old. He said that his father was a drink and James left the house when he was 10 years old. She started playing sugar and fruit and was taken care of. His crimes increased and in 1982 he and another man carried out two robbery in which two people were killed.

James later left the United Kingdom and joined the Foreign Legion. Monahan said that his father convinced James to return and was imprisoned for murders.

The investigation heard that James used his time in prison efficiently. He worked for Guardian and wrote a corner, read his words to a copyer on the phone. After being released, he spoke to schools and returned to prison to talk to prisoners who were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Monahan said James looked sad when he spoke to James on January 19, 2024. “I think he missed me. I could understand that he was drinking.” He sent him all the lyrics of Eric Clapton’s Please Be with Me, whom he learned to play in prison.

He said: “I think Jim [the name she called him] He was driving to prevent what happened to him. I know that he suffered from the crimes he committed. “

“Jim was a very gentle, generous and loving man, although he was in a lousy growing style and 20 years of imprisonment. He was a good role model.”

Speaking with James at the Blue Anchor bar, Sophie May told James that James told him about his life, including “Closed Box Office Tour at the Sidney Opera House” and JK Rowling’s Christmas party.

“We were all a little drunk, but we weren’t inconsistent.” “I didn’t think it was insecure to go back on his own.”