Stroke “played no part” in hospital patient’s death, inquest hears
A 75-year-old woman died after a “forcible sexual assault” while being treated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Last updated 3rd Sep 2025
A stroke played no part in the death of a patient who was subjected to a "forcible sexual assault" in hospital, an inquest has heard.
Valerie Kneale, 75, was admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on November 12 2018 after she fell ill at her home in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire.
The retired clerical assistant was moved to the stroke ward after a scan revealed bleeding in her brain, but she did not appear agitated and was described as lucid and "chatty" when her family left her just before midnight.
Her relatives were urgently called back to the hospital the next morning after "a marked deterioration" in her condition was noted from 8am.
Blackpool Coroner's Court has heard that 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 throughout from November 13 until she died on November 16.
Police decided to examine the death after they were called in that month to investigate allegations of mistreatment and neglect on the stroke ward.
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.
Explaining her findings on Wednesday, consultant forensic pathologist Dr Alison Armour told the hearing at Blackpool Town Hall she did not regard the stroke as a contributory factor to the death of Mrs Kneale, who "would have survived for some time" but for such a "serious injury".
The injuries were inflicted at least two days before she died, Dr Armour said, and the "window of opportunity" for the attack included the overnight shift on November 12/13 - the only time Mrs Kneale was not surrounded by family.
The inquest has heard three healthcare assistants identified "extensive and significant blood loss" from Mrs Kneale when they prepared her body to be transferred to the hospital mortuary on November 16.
One described "blood everywhere" on the bedsheets, which had soaked through to the mattress, with a body bag needed to avoid further leakage.
An "overpowering and unusual smell" was also noticeable, the court was told.
Dr Armour told the inquest: "I have never heard a description like that."
She said her examination also revealed damage to Mrs Kneale's bladder, which she had only seen documented in pelvis injuries from road traffic accidents.
Dr Armour said she thought the bleeding had been present for some time but may not have been visible due to blood clotting or because of Mrs Kneale's position when she was nursed.
She said failure to formally raise concerns about Mrs Kneale's bleeding following her death was a "serious and significant clinical omission".
Earlier this week, retired senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Jill Riley, gave evidence to say the failure to flag up the blood concerns at the time led to a "significant delay" in securing and preserving critical evidence.
By the time the post-mortem examination findings came back, Mrs Kneale's room would have been cleaned and used by other patients, she said. Clothing the patient wore at the time of her death had also been disposed of by hospital staff.
There were no CCTV opportunities on the stroke ward and the wider hospital, she added, because the data had over-run and been deleted.
The murder probe had concluded with 'all possible lines of inquiry" failing to identify who may have been responsible for inflicting the injuries, she added.
The inquest is expected to conclude on Thursday afternoon.