FRANK MILLS, THE GRAVESEND PAEDOPHILE, DIES IN PRISON AT HMP ELMLEY IN SHEERNESS
In a tragic development, Frank Mills, a man from Gravesend with a disturbing criminal history involving the abuse of a young girl, has passed away while serving his prison sentence.Mills, aged 78 at the time of his death, died on May 27 of the previous year at HMP Elmley, a high-security prison located in Sheerness.
His death marks the end of a lengthy and troubling chapter that began with his conviction for multiple sexual offenses.
Frank Mills was sentenced in September 2016 to a term of six years and eight months after he pleaded guilty to numerous charges of indecency with a child, as well as sexual and indecent assault.
These crimes spanned several years and involved a young girl who was victimized by Mills’ repeated acts of abuse.
The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the offenses and the fact that Mills’ victim was coerced into writing a letter of apology to him, a disturbing tactic used to manipulate and silence her after she initially confided in her parents.
Unfortunately, her parents did not believe her at the time, which delayed justice.
It was only in 2014, after the girl summoned the courage to approach the police once more, that Mills was finally arrested and charged for his crimes.
His conviction and subsequent imprisonment brought some measure of justice, but also highlighted the long-lasting trauma inflicted upon his victim.
The case underscored the importance of listening to and believing victims of abuse, even when initial reports are dismissed.
Following Mills’ death, an inquest was initiated to determine the circumstances surrounding his passing.
The hearing was opened on June 13 of the previous year and concluded on February 7 at The Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone.
Coroner Joe Cooper presided over the inquest, carefully examining evidence provided by medical professionals and the prison authorities to understand the events leading up to Mills’ death.
It was revealed that Mills had undergone a below-the-knee amputation on his right leg shortly before his sentencing.
His health was already compromised by a host of serious medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and emphysema.
Throughout his incarceration, Mills was frequently admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital for treatment, reflecting the severity of his health issues.
On April 13, a ‘do not resuscitate’ (DNR) order was put in place, indicating that resuscitative efforts should not be attempted if his condition worsened.
His leg, which had been amputated, was also suffering from necrosis and gangrene around the site of the amputation, further complicating his health status.
During his time in prison, Mills received appropriate medical care, and in the days leading up to his death, prison staff adopted an open-door policy to ensure continuous observation and proper care.
On the morning of May 27, a nurse observed Mills breathing at 10 am, but when checked again at 10:30 am, he was found to have stopped breathing.
Emergency services were called immediately, and a doctor arrived to confirm that Mills had died at approximately 10:50 am.
The coroner noted that the level of care Mills received in prison was comparable to what he would have received in the community.
His treatment was consistent with palliative care standards, aimed at easing his suffering.
The inquest concluded that Mills’ death was due to natural causes, specifically urosepsis and peripheral vascular disease, in the context of his multiple serious health conditions, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes.
The body was examined by prison officers, who found no signs of self-inflicted injuries or any suspicious circumstances.
The investigation confirmed that Mills’ death was the result of his long-standing medical issues, and there was no evidence of third-party involvement or foul play.
