In the Blackpool & Fylde Coroner’s Court
Before HM Senior Coroner Mr Alan Wilson
Monday 1 – Thursday 4 September 2025

Today (4 September) the Senior Coroner found that Valerie Kneale died by unlawful killing due to unlawful act manslaughter.

Valerie, 75, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Friday 16 November 2018, four days after being admitted following a stroke. Due to a separate police investigation into allegations of misconduct and neglect on the ward, Valerie had a postmortem, with the findings prompting a murder investigation. The postmortem, carried out 18 days after her death, found that Valerie had suffered a forcible sexual assault that directly caused her death.

The Pathologist gave evidence that the injuries were suffered whilst Valerie was in hospital, and the time-period included the overnight of 12-13 November 2018, which was the only time Valerie was not surrounded by her family. Valerie’s family said she was chatty and lucid when they left late on the Monday evening. The following morning, they were told of a marked deterioration and Valerie was put on end-of-life care. Access to the stroke unit was supposed to be restricted, however, people would enter by tailgating and sometimes the door would be propped open.

Healthcare assistants found extensive bleeding when preparing to move Valerie’s body to the mortuary, however, this was not escalated appropriately. An adverse incident form was not completed, which was a serious and significant clinical omission. Detective Chief Inspector Jill Riley gave evidence that the failure to flag the concerns at the time led to a significant delay in securing critical evidence. Clothing and bedding were disposed of by hospital staff and CCTV data had been over-ran.

Evidence was heard around inaccurate and missing medical records, however, the Coroner could not find these were causative of the death.

Both the Acute Stroke Ward and the Continuing Care Unit at Blackpool Hospital are rated as inadequate or requiring improvement under the current Trust ratings.

The Coroner is writing a letter to the Chief Executive of the hospital to emphasise his concern about ensuring the team at Blackpool Hospital are told what they need to do when unusual circumstances arise and who to raise the issues to.

The family of Valerie Kneale said:

We would like to thank Detective Super Intendant Jill Riley, the Family Liaison Officers, Lancashire Police, and the Senior Coroner for their thorough investigations.

We left our mother in a safe environment. We asked if we could stay the Monday night, but we were told by hospital staff that they would look after our mum. We believed them. That obviously didn’t happen.

Our mum was 75 years old. Yes, she had a stroke and a broken ankle but when we left, she was talking to us and asking for personal items. The news the next morning of her rapid decline was a devastating shock for all of us.

Valerie was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and most of all our friend. She lovingly looked after and cared for all her family. She was our main source of support and encouragement throughout our lives.

Our mum’s core values live within us all – work hard, be kind, love each other, and be thankful for each and every day.

The years since November 2018 have been a constant torture for all of us. The thought and now the evidence of the attack and the suffering she endured is crippling.

She will always be with us and is out constant green – her favourite colour and her expression to us all.

Love you more than rainbows. Sleep tight darling, with our pops. Always and forever, Valerie Mabel. We love you.

Alice Wood of Farleys Solicitors said:

Valerie’s family have fought for seven years to uncover the truth about her death. The conclusions today go some way towards validating what they have been through. The Senior Coroner’s finding of unlawful killing could not be more serious – Valerie’s death was caused by a serious sexual assault, suffered whilst in hospital, where she was supposed to be kept safe. This is a step towards justice for her family.

The family were represented by Alice Wood of Farleys Solicitors and Gareth Thompson of St John’s Buildings Barristers Chambers.

The other Interested Persons were Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the CQC.