Inquest into the death of Mathew Richard Lothian

Case Number: 2021/4815

Date of Findings: 24 September 2025

Magistrate: State Coroner, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan

Catchwords: CORONIAL LAW – section 23 mandatory inquest – death in custody – inmate took firearm from escorting officer – selfinflicted death of inmate by gunshot – findings as to manner and cause of death – consideration of Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Regulation 2014 – serviceability of firearm holsters issued to Corrective Services officers

Responses

Recommendations

To the Justice Health and Forensic Medicine Network and the Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW

1. Justice Health NSW and Corrective Services NSW consider the benefits of therapeutic psychological services being provided by Justice Health NSW, including how such services would be funded.

To the NSW Attorney General and to the NSW Minister for Corrections:

1. That there be an urgent review of the legislation and regulations relating to the use of firearms by officers of Corrective Services New South Wales, and, in particular, cl 299 of the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Regulation 2014, having regard to the findings in the inquest into the death of Mathew Richard Lothian.

To the Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW:

1. That Corrective Services NSW urgently develop serviceability criteria for the assessment of whether holsters and associated equipment related to the retention of firearms are in proper operational condition and develop training for correctional officers in the assessment of the condition of that equipment according to that serviceability criteria.
2. That an urgent audit be undertaken of all armouries to identify and remove any holsters and associated equipment related to the retention of firearms that may not be in proper operational condition.