Blackpool Coroner's Court rules woman was unlawfully killed after hospital sexual assault
Valerie Kneale, 75, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after a violent assault, despite being admitted following a stroke
A woman who was subjected to a violent sexual assault in hospital was unlawfully killed, a coroner has ruled.
Valerie Kneale, 75, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on November 16 2018, four days after she was admitted following a stroke at her home in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire.
The retired clerical assistant was said to be "chatty", lucid and did not appear agitated when her family left shortly before midnight on November 12.
Her relatives were urgently called back to the hospital after "a marked deterioration" in her condition was noted early on the day shift.
Blackpool Coroner's Court heard it was thought the effects of her stroke had worsened and it was agreed Mrs Kneale would be placed on end-of-life care.
Her family then stayed at her bedside from November 13 until she died.
Police decided to examine the death, though, after they were called in that month to investigate allegations of mistreatment and neglect on the stroke unit.
A post-mortem examination concluded Mrs Kneale died not because of her stroke but due to a "forcible sexual assault" inflicted during her hospital admission.
Detectives launched a murder probe and it emerged that three healthcare assistants witnessed an "extensive and significant" amount of blood surrounding Mrs Kneale shortly after her death.
One described "blood everywhere" on the bedsheets, which had soaked through to the mattress, with a body bag needed to avoid further leakage on transfer to the hospital mortuary.
An "overpowering and unusual smell" in Mrs Kneale's room was also noticeable, the court was told, but the incident was not documented and the concerns were not escalated to senior management.
Retired senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Jill Riley told the inquest that the omission resulted in a "significant delay" in securing and preserving critical evidence.
She said there were "limited, if any, forensic opportunities" as Mrs Kneale's room had subsequently been cleaned and used by other patients.
Her clothing at the time of her death had been disposed of and CCTV footage from the hospital had over-run and been deleted.
Several appeals to help find her killer were publicised through local and national media - including a £20,000 reward offer from CrimeStoppers - but no new information was received and the investigation concluded.
HM Coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, Alan Wilson, concluded that Mrs Kneale was unlawfully killed "by unlawful act manslaughter".
He said she was a "much-loved woman" who had suffered a violent sexual assault.
Mr Wilson said the circumstances were "particularly horrific" and could not have been foreseen.
He said: "For someone to assault a vulnerable, relatively elderly woman in a hospital setting is really quite difficult to believe."