GEORGE BLACKLOCK FROM CARLISLE DIES IN PRISON AFTER SEX OFFENSES IN NORTH CUMBRIA
In a tragic and disturbing case, Geoffrey Blacklock, a convicted sex offender from Carlisle, passed away under circumstances that have raised questions about privacy and medical care within the prison system.Blacklock, who was serving a four-year sentence at HMP Durham, died just three weeks after his incarceration, and his death was shrouded in secrecy, with his family not immediately informed, in accordance with his own wishes.
Blacklock was found guilty in December of the previous year for six counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14.
The assaults occurred during the late 1970s and early 1980s in the north Cumbria area, specifically around Carlisle.
The 68-year-old man, residing on Hawthorn Grove, was sentenced to four years in prison and was also subjected to an indefinite restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim.
Additionally, he was placed on the sex offender register for an indefinite period, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Following his conviction, Blacklock was remanded to HMP Durham on October 21, 2016.
During his time in custody, he was known to suffer from multiple chronic health conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), angina, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
His health reportedly worsened significantly in the days leading up to his death.
According to an independent investigation conducted by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Blacklock’s health deteriorated rapidly after a series of visits to healthcare staff at the prison.
On January 6, he was admitted to the University Hospital of North Durham via emergency ambulance, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.
The report states that he was acutely unwell and experienced rapid deterioration.
Despite medical intervention, Blacklock refused to continue treatment, including drugs administered via nebulizer, on January 11.
He also explicitly refused resuscitation if his heart stopped, indicating his desire not to be revived.
Blacklock died on January 12 at the hospital, with the report noting that he had contracted pneumonia and was experiencing difficulty breathing.
His condition was critical, and he refused further treatment, which contributed to his death.
The investigation revealed that Blacklock’s family was not immediately informed of his passing, aligning with his expressed wishes to keep his death private.
The report emphasizes that Blacklock had made it clear he did not want his family to be notified, and this was respected by the authorities.
Overall, the case highlights the complex issues surrounding the health and privacy of incarcerated individuals, especially those with a criminal history involving vulnerable victims.
The tragic death of Geoffrey Blacklock in Durham underscores the importance of sensitive handling of such cases, balancing medical needs, legal requirements, and personal wishes.
