An autistic man who had his arm broken by staff at a “troubling” specialist care unit in south east London has received a settlement following his experience.

As well as having his arm broken, it is claimed that there were issues with overmedication, assaults and being restricted from his family.

Jamie Newcombe lodged legal claims over incidents reportedly taking place during his stay at London's Bostall House, between 2014 and 2015.

Jamie's troubles began in February 2014 when he was detained under section three of the Mental Health Act 1983 at Bostall House in Knee Hill.

The facility was then operated by Danshell Group, and later came under Cygnet Healthcare's ownership in 2018.

Jamie's family alleged that he was overmedicated as he was given Clozapine without the necessary heart tests, and then abruptly taken off Clonazepam – which was against clinical guidelines.

Jamie reportedly faced distressing symptoms such as myoclonic jerks, slurred speech, nightmares, and self-harm after he was forced to stop taking Clonazepam.

Jamie's mum said that his overall well-being and physiological demeanour, which were dismissed by the responsible clinician.

When Jamie's mother reported changes in his breathing, the responsible clinician dismissed the possibility of any danger from the withdrawal.

On March 4, 2014, Jamie claimed he was subjected to an unauthorised restraining technique where he was described as being violently restrained by staff and pushed out into the hospital garden.

This broke his right arm, and the fractures were alleged to be left untreated for over 24 hours, which significantly escalated his pain.

The claim also described that post the restraint incident, Jamie developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which continues to impact him in the long term.

He was also reportedly subjected to further physical attacks in December 2014 and January 2015.

He was allegedly denied access to hot running water for three weeks which made him reliant on his mum.

The clinician also reportedly threatened Jamie’s family, telling his father that he would send Jamie to a medium secure unit far from home.

Without any explanation, the clinician is said to have banned Jamie’s mother from visiting daily and revoked all of Jamie's hospital leave.

This meant that he was unable to participate in therapeutic activities such as swimming and trampolining due to his injuries.

Whilst Cygnet Healthcare admitted to causing Jamie's arm fracture, they denied all other allegations but agreed to pay damages which were approved by the High Court on September 24, 2024.

Julie Newcombe, mum to Jamie, is a co-founder of Rightful Lives and a prominent autism and learning disability rights campaigner.

She asked human rights lawyers at law firm Leigh Day to investigate her son’s claims of ill treatment in the Cygnet unit.  

Julie Newcombe said: “What happened to Jamie was horrific and is still happening to so many others 10 years later. I co-founded Rightful Lives six years ago to shine a light on the human rights of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

“Yet the fact remains if Jamie were to go into one of these units again, the same things could happen. That is our fear.”

Human rights solicitor Yvonne Kestler, who represented Jamie, said: “Jamie’s experience highlights failures in care provided to individuals with complex needs. It is deeply troubling that someone so vulnerable was left to suffer in this way. 

“While no amount of compensation can undo the harm caused, we hope this settlement will help Jamie and serve as a reminder of the need for better care and oversight in institutions entrusted with vulnerable individuals.”