“For someone to assault a vulnerable, relatively elderly woman in a hospital setting is really quite difficult to believe”James Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter and Kim Pilling
19:00, 04 Sep 2025Updated 19:02, 04 Sep 2025
Valerie Kneale, 75, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
A pensioner who was subjected to a violent sexual assault in hospital was unlawfully killed, a coroner has concluded.
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, in Lancashire.
The retired clerical assistant was said to be ‘chatty’ 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, the inquest heard.
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Blackpool Coroner’s Court was told how 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.
However police decided to examine the death after they were called in to investigate allegations of mistreatment and neglect on the stroke unit.
A post-mortem examination later concluded Mrs Kneale died not because of her stroke but due to a ‘forcible sexual assault’ inflicted during her hospital admission.
Valerie Kneale
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.
Where to go if you’ve been affected by rape or sexual assault
– Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live, or have been sexually assaulted, within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
– Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
– We Are Survivors provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182 for help.
– Always call 999 in an emergency
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, the inquest heard.
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, meaning there were limited forensic opportunities, with Mrs Kneale’s room also cleaned and used by other patients.
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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.”
Following the inquest, Mrs Kneale’s family said in a statement: “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.
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Riley from Lancashire Police
“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.
“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.”
Their lawyer, Alice Wood – of Farleys Solicitors, said: “This is a step towards justice for her family.”
A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “This remains an undetected homicide investigation that is now held by the force’s major crime review team.
“The case will be regularly reviewed, and we will look into any new information which comes to light.”
Maggie Oldham, chief executive at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ““I wish to assure Mrs Kneale’s family, patients, and staff that the Trust has already implemented improvements since the tragic death of Mrs Kneale in 2018.
“The Trust is committed to learning and will now carefully consider all of the evidence heard at the inquest and the coroner’s findings, and make any further improvements, as necessary.”