A member of East London’s infamous Samurai gang that had tried to behead an unnamed person died choking on his own vomit after drinking too much alcohol.
Sabesan Sivaneswaran of East Ham was found lying on Bengal Road in July last year after drinking enough whisky to put some in a coma while celebrating the birthday of a toddler, an inquest heard.
The 34-year-old man died despite efforts by police and paramedics to rusticate him.
Sivaneswaran was part of a seven-member gang known as The East Ham Boys which targeted a rival group.
Four of the gangsters who were armed with swords, pick-axe handles and pieces of wood attempted to behead a 23-year-old person who had only a cricket bat to defend himself. The victim’s arm was partially severed in the violent attack in 2006.
Two years later, Sivaneswaran was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of eight years in jail. The other members of the gang were also jailed and it brought down criminal activity significantly in the East Ham area.
On the circumstance leading up to Sivaneswaran’s death last year, his friend told the East London Coroner's Court: "I noticed Sabesan could not hold his food plate because he was drunk. He tried drinking the water but he lost his balance and fell down. After about 30 to 35 minutes, I went into the party because something kicked off. When I came back outside, police were with him. I know he had been drinking whisky at the party."
A little after midnight, police officers on patrol saw Sivaneswaran lying on Bengal Road with vomit on his face, shirt, and on the floor. He was still breathing although he fell unconscious. The London Ambulance Service arrived there and paramedics gave him chest compressions and drugs to stimulate the heart. However, Sivaneswaran could not be saved and he was pronounced dead at 1.30 am on July 24.
Sivaneswaran had struggled with his mental health and alcohol abuse had damaged his liver, the court heard.
Coroner Nadia Persaud said she was “satisfied there was no evidence of foul play."
"The evidence suggests he choked on his own vomit," the coroner said.
Sivaneswaran’s family said in a statement to the court: "He came to this country when he was 10 years old and he always stayed alone. He played football for his school…. He always had a lovely smile."
"The day he passed away and left his home he talked to his mum and said goodbye," they said.
"We were very shocked when he said goodbye. He did not know what issues he was facing with his mental illness," his family said in the statement.
