A tragic incident unfolded at HMP Thameside when Quang Nguyen, described as a “calm, gentle, and kind” man, was brutally beaten to death by his cellmate, Roland Viarode. Nguyen, who had suffered 50 blunt impact injuries, was found lifeless in his bed on February 7 last year.
Viarode, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility, was given an indefinite hospital order after experts confirmed he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the attack. Woolwich Crown Court heard that an inquiry is underway at HMP Thameside to investigate why two “troubled” prisoners were placed in the same cell and why staff did not respond adequately when their cell’s alarm was raised multiple times during the night.
Nguyen, originally from Vietnam, came to the UK in 2015 with hopes of earning money to support his family. His parents, devastated by his loss, described how Quang gave up his dream of studying to help raise his younger siblings. They explained that the Covid pandemic left Quang isolated and depressed as he struggled to send money back home. He was later jailed for a year for burglary.
In a heartbreaking statement, Quang’s parents said, “My son’s death has left my family devastated and in turmoil, both mental and physical. The wound in our family’s heart is so great… My son, in the last moments of his life, had no one by his side and passed away alone, surely very desperate.”
Viarode, also awaiting sentencing for burglary, had become cellmates with Nguyen on February 1, after his previous cellmate objected to his self-neglect. Fellow prisoners described Viarode as “seeming like a crazy guy” and “talking to himself,” according to court testimony.
On the night of the attack, strange banging noises were heard coming from their cell, but no one heard shouting. Their cell alarm was activated several times throughout the night, but prison staff only conducted cursory checks, with one officer merely glancing through the window and asking Viarode for the time.
It wasn’t until midday on February 7 that Quang Nguyen’s body was discovered. He had suffered extensive injuries, including severe bruising to his face.
Sentencing Viarode, Judge Andrew Lees issued a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act, alongside a Section 41 restriction order, meaning Viarode can only be released from secure detention with approval from the Secretary of State for Justice.
Judge Lees expressed his condolences to Nguyen’s family, acknowledging the profound tragedy of the incident. An internal inquiry into the circumstances of the death and prison staff actions is ongoing.
