Former Romford Tutor Jailed for Child Abuse Takes Own Life in Jail
A disgraced private tutor from Romford, locked up for sexually abusing children, has died by suicide just four months into his prison sentence, an explosive report reveals.
Edward Lomas Found Dead at HMP Pentonville
Edward Lomas, 62, was serving a hefty 12-and-a-half-year sentence at HMP Pentonville when he was discovered unresponsive in his cell on May 22, 2024. Staff and paramedics tried to save him but failed. A coroner confirmed in February that his death was a suicide.
Warning Signs Overlooked – Staff Missed Critical Clues
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report revealed Lomas told a prison chaplain he sometimes wished he could “go to sleep and not wake up.” Those chilling words triggered no formal mental health action.
Worse, before his death, Lomas had secretly hoarded and illegally obtained prescription drugs inside the prison. The PPO slammed Pentonville staff for poor monitoring and demanded urgent training upgrades.
“There were clear gaps in the monitoring of medication at Pentonville,” the report said. “Staff need better training to detect when inmates are stockpiling drugs.”
Convicted Child Abuser Serving Time in High-Security Jail
Lomas was convicted in January 2024 for multiple child sexual offences. Although the full horror of his crimes remains under wraps, it’s known they were historic abuses stretching over years during his time as a private tutor.
He was sent to a high-security Category B prison with mental health checks and medication oversight — both glaringly inadequate, the report warns.
Calls Rising for Prison Reforms on Suicide Prevention
The PPO demands that HMP Pentonville’s head of drug strategy and lead pharmacist team up to launch strict officer training on drug management, especially to stop prisoners hoarding prescription meds.
Mental health campaigners urge the Ministry of Justice to take suicide risks seriously, especially for inmates convicted of sexual offences, who are vulnerable in custody.
“Suicide is tragically common among offenders convicted of sexual abuse,” said the Howard League for Penal Reform. “Prisons must offer robust mental health support and staff must spot warning signs early.”
Background: Pentonville Under Intense Scrutiny
HMP Pentonville, infamous for overcrowding and poor inmate welfare, records one of the UK’s highest prison suicide rates. Lomas’s suicide highlights ongoing failures in protecting vulnerable prisoners, particularly newly sentenced offenders with high-profile convictions.
Support Available for Survivors of Abuse
While Lomas’s death closes his grim chapter, local safeguarding groups stress survivors of his abuse can access counselling and legal help.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk for confidential support.
