CHILD RAPIST GEORGE ROSE DIES IN PRISON AMID HEALTHCARE FAILURES
A man convicted of child sexual assault who served a 15-year prison sentence has passed away while incarcerated.George Alexander Rose, aged 75, was given his sentence in May 2021 after being convicted on 22 counts of indecent assault and six counts of rape; these offences originated in the 1980s.
The court indicated that he was likely to spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
Rose’s crimes took place in locations including Blackpool and Oldham, and he was held at Wymott Prison in Lancashire.
In May 2023, he was diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
His initial hospital appointment was missed due to staffing shortages, and a subsequent appointment scheduled in August was canceled because of doctor strikes, with prison staff failing to notify the hospital.
When he was finally examined six months after the diagnosis, medical staff warned that his aneurysm could rupture at any moment.
Rose chose to sign a 'do not resuscitate' order.
On January 18, 2024, he was found unresponsive in his cell after not collecting his evening meal and was confirmed dead by emergency services.
An inquest held in April 2025 determined that his death was due to natural causes.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman noted that if Rose had undergone assessment in June 2023, earlier intervention might have been possible.
A review of staffing arrangements was initiated after his death.
The ombudsman also found that healthcare providers failed to refer him for age-related screening programs, including assessments for his aneurysm, when he was transferred into custody in 2021.
The initial health screening on June 18 showed no record of NHS checks appropriate for his age, and consequently, no screening was arranged.
The investigation identified deficiencies in healthcare procedures and staffing levels, which may have affected the timely detection and management of his condition.
