An inquest is taking place this week to consider the death of a 39-year-old man whose death following an overdose led to criminal charges against two paramedics.

Frazer Irvine passed away in March 2022 and ambulance crewmen John Sutherland and Tom Le Sauteur were convicted of failing to provide reasonable care to a patient who later died in a trial that took place just over two years later in June 2024.

The two men’s appeal against the conviction was lost four months later, and in January of this year they resigned from the Jersey Ambulance Service.

Mr Irvine’s parents were among those in attendance for a brief procedural hearing this morning ahead of the inquest proceeding in earnest tomorrow morning.

Coroner Bridget Dolan said that it was unusual for an inquest to take place after criminal proceedings had concluded.

The hearing would proceed as a broader, “article 2” inquest, she explained, encompassing a wider investigation into the circumstances of death in line with the relevant article of the European Convention of Human Rights.

Mrs Dolan said the inquest would look at the extent to which organisational policies and procedures and other guidance in place were applicable and were complied with by staff, as well as considering whether there were any shortcomings in policies, procedures or guidance which could be of relevance to the death and might help prevent similar deaths in the future.

The inquest would be “wholly separate” from the criminal case, she said, and would potentially look at some areas not addressed during the court proceedings.

Sutherland and Le Sauteur, who are set to give evidence tomorrow or on Wednesday, are represented by Advocates Ian Jones and Frances Littler respectively, while Advocate Nicholas Mière is appearing on behalf of the Irvine family.

Two other Advocates will also take part: Stephen O’Neill on behalf of the Ambulance Service, and Heidi Heath for States of Jersey Police.

Footage from body-worn cameras used by police officers who were called to Mr Irvine’s home in Trinity is expected to be played as part of the inquest, although Mrs Dolan said she did not wish to have repeated screenings of this footage, in order not to add to the upset caused to Mr Irvine’s mother and father.

The inquest is expected to conclude on Friday.