Three nurses faced displinary action after falsifying the care records of a dead man, an inquest heard.

Matthew Leahy, 20, had a history of cannabis induced psychosis and had complained that he had been raped by police officers and people in the health profession.

He also believed he was suffering from an infestation of thread worm.

He was taken to the Linden Centre by the police as an in patient on November 7, 2012, after he had used a base ball bat to smash up his dad’s caravan in Bradwell Marina.

On 15 November, Mr Leahy's body was found in his room by staff at the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who tried to revive him before the arrival of paramedics.

On the first day the week-long inquest today, DCI Stuart Hooper, who led the police investigation, spoke of a falsified care plan after Matthew’s death which led to the displinary action against three nurses.

Nurses one and two had colluded to create the care plan for Matthew and had pre-dated it as November 8, while nurse three signed it off as her own when it was not.

Nurse one was summarily dismissed by the healthcare trust for gross misconduct, while two and three received written warnings and were referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The hearing continues.