SEX OFFENDER CYRIL EASHAM FROM RIBBLETON DIES AFTER CELL COLLAPSE AT WYMMOTT PRISON

In a tragic incident at HMP Wymott in Ulnes Walton, Leyland, Cyril Eastham, a 66-year-old convicted sex offender from Ribbleton, Preston, lost his life following a sudden collapse in his prison cell. Eastham had been serving a three-year sentence since February 2008 after being convicted of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old boy. His criminal case and subsequent attack by an angry mob at his Ribbleton residence had garnered significant media attention at the time.

According to details revealed during an inquest at Preston Coroner’s Court, Eastham’s health had been fragile, and he was known to have multiple medical issues. On the morning of December 27, prison staff noted that he had not emerged from his cell. When prison officers checked on him, they found Eastham unconscious and lying in bed, with his breathing very slow. Despite efforts by staff and two attending nurses, they were unable to rouse him. Given his medical history, including diabetes, the staff immediately called an ambulance, and he was transported to Chorley Hospital for urgent treatment.

During the proceedings, prison officer Brian Taylor recounted the events, stating, “He was lying in bed, breathing slowly, but he was unconscious and I could not rouse him and neither could two nurses who attended. They were concerned because he had been in hospital a few weeks before.” The inquest revealed that Eastham, who had been hospitalized recently for pneumonia, was in a critical condition when he arrived at the hospital, where he later succumbed to his illness.

Medical experts reviewing Eastham’s case suggested that he might have been manipulating his blood sugar levels by self-medicating, possibly to remain in the prison’s healthcare unit. Evidence presented indicated that on two separate occasions, bags of sugar were found beneath his bed, raising concerns about his attempts to control his diabetes improperly. The inquest also disclosed that Eastham had been hospitalized a few weeks prior due to pneumonia and had undergone medical reviews upon his return to Wymott.

Ultimately, a jury concluded that Eastham’s death was due to natural causes. The cause of death was identified as a combination of diabetic ketoacidosis, pneumonia, septicaemia, and heart disease. The tragic end of Eastham’s life underscores the complex health challenges faced by inmates with pre-existing conditions, especially those with a history of serious offenses and vulnerabilities.