JAIL VIRUS DEATH AS TOWN CASES RISE
Fears of ‘upgrade’ over infection rate Corrigan
AN inmate has died of Covid-19 at Stafford Prison.
Brian Learmonth, aged 65, had been serving a 12-and-a-halfyear sentence at HMP Stafford after admitting to a number of sexual offences against children, including three counts of rape, in 2015.
His death has been announced as people across Stafford are being urged to follow Covid-19 rules following a surge in cases in the borough.
Stafford’s weekly infection rate has shot up to 158.1 cases per 100,000 population, one of the highest in Staffordshire, after 217 people tested positive in the seven days up to October 15. Over the previous seven days there had been 190 cases, which equated to a weekly rate of 138.4.
Like the rest of Staffordshire, Stafford is currently classed as a tier one ‘medium alert’ area under
England’s lockdown system. But public health officials warn that the area could be upgraded if infections continue to rise.
Transmissions have been identified within and between households, care homes, schools and businesses.
Dr Johnny Mcmahon, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said: “Cases in
Stafford are a genuine concern. People need to act now to prevent the risk of Covid-19 cases increasing further, which could lead to the government stepping in with additional restrictions.
“Simple measures do make a huge impact and by educating and encouraging all our communities there is a great chance to get the situation back under control.”
Councillor Patrick Farrington, leader of Stafford Borough Council, said: “We all have a responsibility to help prevent further restrictions being imposed on us and protect our community.
“We must adhere to the guidelines and follow advice that we are all familiar with now – such as washing your hands regularly, covering your face and making space between you and others. They are so basic, but they really can reduce the spread of infection.
“I’d urge residents and businesses to do everything they can to work together so we can stop the increase in cases we are seeing in our area.”
Learmonth, from Shawbury in Shropshire, died on October 8.
His crimes, which also included indecent assault, taking indecent photographs and possessing and distributing indecent photographs, were committed in the 1980s and 1990s.
His death could be the first Covid-19 related fatality in an English or Welsh prison since May. A total of 23 prisoners have died of suspected coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, but no deaths were recorded between June and September.
Around 630 inmates at prisons or Youth Custody Service sites tested positive for Covid-19 September, the highest monthly total so far. There are 89 prisons and sites with confirmed cases.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “HMP Stafford prisoner Brian Learmonth died in prison on October 8. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.”
Learmonth’s death has been reported to the coroner.