Prison Death - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Prison Death – A ROAD rage attacker from Leigh died in prison from drug toxicity, the prison ombudsman has announced.

Leigh On Sea News: Death - A ROAD rage attacker from Leigh died in prison from drug toxicity, the prison ombudsman has announced.

A ROAD rage attacker from Leigh died in prison from drug toxicity, the prison ombudsman has announced.

An inquest found that Max Marchant died at HMP Mount prison from synthetic cannabinoid toxicity, aged 26 on 25 July 2022.

The prison ombudsman did not find any evidence that Mr Marchant intended to take his own life, but raised concerns that he was taken to a wing “known to be overrun with psychoactive substances less than 36 hours before he died.”

Mr Marchant had a history of using illicit substances in prison, as well as brewing fermented liquid (known as hooch).

In 2018 Marchant was jailed for stabbing a driver in Rochford who beeped his horn at him.

His victim, a man in his 30s, had pulled up behind a white Volkswagen Polo on the approach to a roundabout in West Street on the afternoon of Monday, July 30.

The victim beeped the Polo, after which both cars pulled away.

They travelled in convoy as the victim headed towards his home address until they both stopped side-by-side as the road widened at the roundabout which connects Hall Road to Cherry Orchard Way.

The driver of the Polo, later identified as Marchant, started shouting at the victim before providing to exit his car, approach the victim’s window, and stabbing him in the chest.

Marchant, of Blenheim Chase, Leigh then got back into his car and drove off.

The victim managed to drive home and call the emergency services, who flew him to hospital in London.

Marchant was jailed in November 2018 for six years, but was released on licence from HMP Chelmsford on October 1, 2021.

He was recalled to Chelmsford on November 15, for breaking the conditions of his release by drinking alcohol.

On December 13, he transferred to HMP The Mount.

Mr Marchant had an extensive history of using psychoactive substances, as well as brewing ‘hooch’ for his own use and to sell to other prisoners on several occasions.

In a bid to disrupt his hooch brewing, the prison frequently moved him between wings.

He also spent two periods in the prison’s care and separation unit (CSU).

The ombudsman said: “Although I am satisfied that Mr Marchant knew the dangers of psychoactive substances use and that he received good support from his health and well-being worker, I am concerned that he was moved to a wing known to be overrun with psychoactive substances less than 36 hours before he died.

“Tragically, the prevalence of psychoactive substances on his new wing apparently weakened his resolve with fatal consequences.”

Picture: Max Marchant died from synthetic cannabinoid toxicity. Pic Essex Police

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