Blackpool Hospital Stroke Patient Unlawfully Killed After Sexual Assault

Valerie Kneale, a 75-year-old grandmother admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital after a stroke, was unlawfully killed following a violent sexual assault during her hospital stay, a coroner has ruled. Although initially thought to have died due to complications from her stroke, a post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was the assault, which caused significant internal and external injuries. Despite hospital staff noticing extensive bleeding and unusual smells after her death, suspicions were not raised promptly, resulting in lost evidence and the attacker remaining unidentified. The coroner highlighted hospital failings, including poor record-keeping, gaps in care, and a failure to escalate concerns, which severely compromised the investigation. The case emerged after police were investigating unrelated allegations of mistreatment on the stroke unit, leading to a murder investigation and a critical review of hospital practices. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has pledged to learn from the incident and implement improvements.