Garry Mills: Prevention of future deaths report

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 02 February 2026.
The conclusion of the inquest was:
Narrative Conclusion – Gary MILLS was a much loved and desperately missed member of his Family. His Family recalls him as a loving, caring, proud husband and father who placed his family’s interests above his own.
On the 8^th September 2020 Mr. MILLS was arrested in relation to a Police investigation concerning activity which Mr. MILLS was alleged to have coordinated online, including on the dark web. He was interviewed by Police and released on Police bail on the 9^th September 2020.
On the 28^th September 2020 a financial restraint order was placed on Mr. MILLS and which imposed a £250 pound limit on weekly living expenses for Mr. MILLS and his Family.
Mr. MILLS subsequently suffered from considerable anxiety and stress and he experienced feelings of failure and hopelessness which he expressed to his family and therapist.
In July 2021 Mr. MILLS was advised that the Police investigation was unlikely to be completed before mid-2022 and his family noted that this adversely impacted on his mood, stress levels and anxiety.
On the 6^th September 2021, Mr. MILLS seemed his usual self and was last seen around 11.30 hours by a family member. He was observed on security cameras departing his residence at 11.56 hours.
Concerns were raised by his wife when he failed to collect their son from school that afternoon which was out of character for him.
Subsequent Police enquiries lead to Mr. MILLS being found at a business premises in [REDACTED] at around 1750 hours later that day, 6^th September
2021. Mr. MILLS had placed a dressing gown cord around his neck and suspended himself from a rafter at the premises with the intention of taking his own life. His death was verified at the scene. A subsequent Police investigation revealed no evidence of third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances in relation to the death.
A post mortem examination determined that Mr. MILLS’ death was due to suspension.
The restraint order, which had the effect of significantly impacting on Mr. MILLS and his family’s standard of living, along with the time he had been subject to Police investigation weighed heavily on Mr. MILLS and is likely to have influenced the actions he undertook on the 6^th September 2021.
Gary MILLS took his own life whilst suffering from the effects of stress and anxiety.

The medical cause of death was confirmed as:
1a. Suspension

The Inquest heard that as a consequence of this guidance, the initial Restraint Order will typically be issued with the exception of £250.00 per week made for reasonable living expenses.  This was the case for Mr. MILLS.  Provision exists for this amount to be varied, however the Inquest heard that the process is understandably challenging and requires specialist legal representation if it is to have any chance of success.  Due to the terms of the Restraint Order, assets are specifically excluded from being realised to pay for legal representation. The Inquest heard evidence that although Legal Aid funding is available for defendants in criminal proceedings, applications to vary Restraint Orders is considered a non- criminal matter and therefore the provision of Legal Aid funding is rare.  No application to vary the Restraint Order applicable to Mr. MILLS was made.

The sum of £250.00 per week has not been varied since 2009, despite considerable upward movement in the cost of living during the ensuing 17 years.  Evidence heard at the Inquest was that no review of this figure has occurred since 2009.

In Mr. MILLS’ case, he and his five dependants (his wife and four children) were to meet their reasonable living expenses from £250.00 per week, in part supplemented by Universal Credit payments.

I am concerned that the figure used by the CPS to set the minimum per week figure for reasonable living expenses (£250.00) and which is initially imposed in ex parte proceedings has not been reviewed since 2009.  The almost universal use of this figure, unadjusted for inflation or broader cost of living increases, on the subject of the Restraint Order and their dependants, significantly impacts on their mental health and wellbeing which gives rise to a risk of death.

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