A FORMER psychiatric nurse accused of being part of a child kidnapping plot was found suffocated in his prison cell just weeks after his arrest.
Robert Frith, 65, of Ty’n Parc, Holyhead, was remanded in custody at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham on November 9, 2020, charged with conspiracy to kidnap a child under ten years old. He was awaiting trial at Mold Crown Court but was found dead in his cell on December 14, 2020—five days after telling prison officers he had no intention of self-harming.
His death came as part of a case that saw six people jailed for a total of 63 years over an alleged plot to ‘rescue’ the child from what they believed to be a Satanic cult—claims that police had already dismissed as unfounded.
The kidnapping plot
The case stemmed from a growing network of individuals who subscribed to baseless and dangerous conspiracy theories regarding ritual abuse. Frith and others became entangled in a scheme to abduct the child, believing they were acting in the child’s best interest. However, investigators found no credible evidence to support these allegations. Instead, their actions were determined to be the result of unfounded hysteria, fuelled by misinformation and social media-fuelled paranoia.
The group had allegedly monitored the child and made preparations to take them from their legal guardians. Authorities intervened before the plot could be carried out, leading to multiple arrests and the eventual prosecution of those involved.
Frith, a retired psychiatric nurse, was one of those swept up in the case. A man who once worked in mental health, he now found himself at the centre of a case driven by delusion and fear.
The prison ordeal
On arrival at HMP Berwyn, Frith underwent standard prison intake procedures. He was assessed as a ‘standard risk’ for a first-time prisoner and was noted to be taking medication to help with alcohol withdrawal. However, staff reported that he appeared ‘shocked’ to be in prison and seemed frail but cooperative.
Despite assurances that he was not at risk of self-harm, Frith was found dead in his cell on the morning of December 14. A pathologist later determined that he had died of suffocation several hours earlier, ruling out foul play.
In an inquest held in Ruthin, testimony from prison staff and medical professionals painted a picture of a man struggling with the reality of his situation. His brother, Peter Frith, revealed that Robert had suffered from low self-esteem and depression following the death of their mother and learning of another brother’s cancer diagnosis.
The inquest also heard that prison ‘roll checks’ were conducted roughly every hour during the night, but these were primarily to confirm that prisoners were in their cells rather than to assess their welfare.
A case that shook North Wales
Following Frith’s death, the legal proceedings continued, culminating in the sentencing of six individuals for their roles in the kidnapping plot. Their convictions brought closure to a disturbing chapter in a case that exposed the real-world dangers of online conspiracies spiralling into criminal action.
However, questions remain about Frith’s death. Was he overwhelmed by guilt, fear, or despair? Did the prison system fail to provide adequate mental health support? These questions linger as the justice system contends with the responsibilities of handling first-time prisoners, particularly those facing serious charges.
The case serves as a stark warning about the power of misinformation, the vulnerabilities of those drawn into extremist beliefs, and the urgent need for better mental health safeguards in the criminal justice system.
