Leeds terror suspect died in prison, inquest under investigation

A terror suspect believed to have been inspired by Guy Fawkes was found dead in his prison cell nine days after his arrest, an inquest heard.

Benjamin Hyland, 29, died at HMP Leeds on 11 December 2022 after being charged with 11 offenses under the Terrorism Act.

At a court hearing before his death, it was claimed he bought chemicals with the intention of making explosives and tried to make a 3D printed weapon.

His partner said she believed not being able to speak to his young son in prison was a factor in Mr Hyland’s death.

A jury inquest at Wakefield Coroner’s Court on Monday was told that Mr Hyland was arrested on December 2, 2022, after police searched his home in Leeds.

He spent seven days in custody before being remanded in custody at HMP Leeds on December 9, the inquest heard.

At an initial hearing after his arrest, prosecutors said it was believed Mr Hyland had “gathered information and material to further his terrorist ideology of trying to defeat the government” and had “praised Guy Fawkes for using gunpowder rifle”.

A written statement from his partner, which was read at the inquest, said Mr Hyland was originally from Devon and moved to Leeds in his twenties.

He spent several years living on the city’s streets, the statement said, before finding accommodation in Beeston and getting a job on a farm.

His partner said he ‘couldn’t have coped’ in prison, adding: ‘We have learned that Ben has been told by social services that he is not allowed to speak to the children because of the emotional effect this could have work on them.

“I think that was the last straw for Ben.”

The inquest was told that despite deliberately banging his head on his cell door while in custody on December 7, Mr Hyland was not considered to be at high risk of self-harm.

The court was told he insisted it was an “isolated” incident out of frustration.

Giving evidence, a prison reception officer said Mr Hyland appeared unusually “outgoing and jovial” for a first-time inmate and nothing in his behavior had raised concerns.

The investigation is expected to conclude on Tuesday.