An aspiring DJ who died on the A47 after absconding from a mental health facility may not have received a basic level of care, a court was told. 

Lee West died on January 20 this year after being struck by two consecutive cars on the main road at Postwick, near Norwich.

The 20-year-old from Essex was being treated at Southern Hill Hospital in Mundesley, north Norfolk, having been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

However, that evening he was able to abscond from the hospital after "tailgating" through a secured gate after it was unlocked and opened by a nurse. 

Norfolk Coroner's CourtNorfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest) An inquest into his death has been held at Norfolk Coroner's Court this week. On Wednesday (November 27), area coroner Samantha Goward summed up the evidence to a jury. 

Speaking to the jurors, Mrs Goward said they had to consider whether they felt Mr West had suffered neglect when he was able to leave the hospital - despite being held there for his own safety. 

She added: "Neglect is not negligence. It means there is a gross failure to provide basic level of care, and this is a high threshold.  

“You have to be satisfied that all this criteria has been met and it is up to you to consider if there is sufficient evidence [to reach the threshold].” 

Area coroner Samantha GowardArea coroner Samantha Goward (Image: Denise Bradley) Previously, the court had been told Mr West had been brought to the hospital from Colchester after being sectioned as there were no available beds in Essex. 

During his two-week stay at the Mundesley site there were instances where he had self-harmed. 

He absconded from the hospital at around 8pm, before dying on the A47 less than two hours later. Investigations did not reveal how he made the 22-mile journey. 

The inquest continues. 

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