By Paul Reoch

A PRISON nurse yesterday told Perth Sheriff Court of her “shock” of seeing the dead body of an inmate.

Helen Watson was giving evidence at the fatal accident inquiry of Clark James Isard (34), of Halley Terrace, Dundee, who died in Perth Prison on May 30.

Ms Watson said that she had met Isard on “numerous occasions” at Perth Prison and described him as being a “loveable rogue.”

She told depute fiscal Vicki Bell of how she had accompanied three other nurses at 8.10am on May 30, as there was a dead body in a cell in “D” Hall of Perth Prison.

“There was a body lying on the bed on the right-hand side of the room facing the wall,” she said.

“Other prison officers were also in the cell, but there was no sign of a ligature.

“I noticed a scar on the back of the person’s head and realised it was Clark Isard,” she added.

“I expressed my shock that it was him.”

Ms Watson told the court how she checked for any pulse, respiration and warmth on Isard but found none.

“Early stages of rigor mortis had set in, so I concluded that he had been dead for some time.

“I noticed a bruise on Clark’s back, where his sweatshirt had risen.”

Ms Watson told depute fiscal Bell that there were no signs of suicidal tendencies when Isard was admitted to Perth Prison the previous evening.

She said, “We look for body language and if they have previously been in prison. We look for inmates who are either cocky or down, or have marks on their arms from self-harm.

“Clark had previously been given anti-depressants, but told me this evening he wasn’t taking them. He was relaxed and even joked about seeing a girlfriend recently.

“I asked him one of our key questions concerning if he was thinking about committing suicide. He said, ‘Helen, if I was going to kill myself do you think I would tell you?’ whilst he was smiling.”

Ms Watson told the court that she had to ask incoming prisoners if they had any concerns.

“Clark told me he had taken cocaine and heroin lately, but that he wasn’t on any prescription drugs,” Ms Watson said.

“He asked me about my health and family and was very pleasant.”

The court was told that there had been a police “at risk” form and an identification form from Reliance, which stipulated that Isard was “at risk of concealing weapons and drug abuse.”

But, even though these weren’t available to Ms Watson at Perth Prison, she said they wouldn’t have altered her perception that Isard “wasn’t at risk.”

Robert Wilson, a prison custody officer with Reliance, told the court he had been working at Dundee Sheriff Court on May 29, where Isard was due to appear.

He had encountered Isard on “numerous occasions” before and described him as being “quiet” and how he “never gave us any problems.”

“Clark was one of the better ones we dealt with,” Mr Wilson said. “During the day we chatted about how his father and my cousin had both boxed for Scotland.

“I thought he was looking quite well, as on previous occasions you could tell he was suffering from withdrawal symptoms from drugs.”

Mr Wilson travelled with Isard as he was transported to Perth Prison on May 29, and they indulged in “general chit-chat.”

“He seemed quite cheery and was in a better condition than usual. Nothing suggested he might be suicidal.”

Earlier the court had heard from Isard’s former partner Julie Turpie (29), of Sandeman Street, Dundee, who described an “uncomfortable silence” during a phone call to one of Isard’s friends.

Miss Turpie said he had phoned Kevin Bannon, of Strips of Craigie Road, Dundee, from the prison on May 29.

“Kev told me this at Clark’s funeral,” she said. “He thought it was between 8pm and 9pm.

“Kev told me there was an uncomfortable silence on Clark’s part, that lasted for around a minute.”

Miss Turpie said she had also been told by prison inmates that Isard had burnt some papers in his cell on the evening of his death.

She told the court that he had tried to commit suicide by taking tablets when the pair lived together.

Isard was the father of her 10-year-old daughter.

She said that he had a prescription for valium but also took it illegally along with heroin.

She added that Isard was prone to depression and paranoia, as well as being “aggressive” on occasions.

DC Raymond Barnett said Isard had been taken to the charge bar at Dundee on May 25, but appeared “amiable” and “very pleasant” to deal with.

The policeman had arrested Isard for alleged housebreaking.

DC Barnett told the court that police officers were not trained to look for signs of mental illness when bringing people into custody.

The inquiry, which is being heard before Sheriff Lindsay Foulis, continues today.