Rapist shunned advice and died

OBESE INMATE HAD HEART ATTACK

A 20-STONE serial rapist who shunned doctors’ advice to slim down suffered a killer heart attack behind bars.

Obese David Stenning was “icy cold” when staff found him slumped in his HMP Frankland cell.

The 61-year-old had been serving a life sentence since 1994 for sickening sex attacks.

But a watchdog’s report into his death has revealed he skipped two diet appointments and binged on sugary treats while behind bars as his weight ballooned.

“A prisoner who was Mr Stenning’s prison buddy said that Mr Stenning had four bottles of fizzy pop and six bottles of diluted juice drink each week,” states a Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report.

“Despite attempts by healthcare staff to improve his diet, Mr Stenning bought numerous sugary drinks every week.”

The report revealed Stenning ignored help, despite a raft of “complex” medical issues.

The diabetic rapist had a BMI of over 42, while suffering from chronic leg ulcers and abnormally high cholesterol levels.

In the months prior to his death last February 26, he underwent multiple heath tests at the County Durham jail – dubbed ‘Monster Mansion’ due to its notorious inmates.

But almost two hours after he was locked in with his lunch, Stenning’s prison buddy raised the alarm after failing to wake him.

Two officers, who were not firstaid trained, raced to the cell. Both suspected he was dead.

“A nurse promptly went to Mr Stenning’s cell but could not find a pulse or a heartbeat,” the report said. “Mr Stenning was icy cold and appeared to have been dead for some time.”

CPR wasn’t attempted, fearing it would be “disrespectful”.

However, the watchdog has now criticised prison bosses.

“Although it appears that Mr Stenning had probably been dead for some time, in any medical emergency checking for a pulse and determining that a prisoner is breathing is critical in considering whether a life can be saved,” added the report.

In 2001, Stenning sparked outrage after receiving £12,000 compensation after a brutal attack – claiming the Home Office had let him down.

John Purkiss, who was inside for attempted murder, held Stenning hostage before stabbing him with a craft knife in Wakefield Prison.