MEL ORME, A PROLIFIC SEX OFFENDER, DIES OF HEART DISEASE IN LANCASHIRE PRISON
A convicted sex offender, Mel Orme, who was widely regarded by a judge as a 'prolific sex offender,' tragically died from natural causes while incarcerated at HMP Wymott near Leyland, Lancashire.The circumstances surrounding his death were revealed during an inquest held in Preston, which provided insight into lapses in his medical care and the underlying health issues that contributed to his passing.
Orme, aged 57 and originally from Eccles, Salford, was discovered dead in his cell during the routine morning check carried out by prison officers.
He had a long and disturbing history of sexual offenses, and his presence in prison was marked by a series of notable incidents and legal proceedings.
Following his early release in 2020 after serving a sentence at Minshull Street Crown Court, he was returned to incarceration at Wymott after committing a series of assaults at the Trafford Centre shopping complex.
In 2020, Orme, then 55, received a 32-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges.
Notably, he was serving a life sentence for attempted rape of a teenage girl aged 16.
Despite this, he was released five months earlier than expected, an action that drew criticism and concern from legal and victim advocacy groups.
His re-entry into the community was marked by aggressive behavior; just five months after his early release, he was prowling the Trafford Centre, searching for new victims.
Witnesses reported that he followed one woman to her car, groped her bottom, and then walked away with a sinister grin.
Later, he attempted to grab another woman, and a third victim, a woman with her daughter, narrowly escaped physical assault after noticing Orme watching her from behind a plant pot and subsequently grabbing her arm and bottom.
During the sentencing hearing in 2020, Orme remained unemotional and declined to provide any explanation for his actions despite the court's requests.
His criminal record was extensive, beginning in 1979 with a conviction for indecent assault on a female under 16.
Over the years, he amassed convictions for attempted rape, rape, and additional indecent assault offenses.
His final conviction, in 1998, resulted in a life sentence for attempted rape.
Upon his return to prison in 2020, Orme underwent a health screening, during which he disclosed experiencing dizziness.
An ECG revealed some abnormality in his heart, prompting a hospital appointment.
Unfortunately, this appointment was subsequently canceled by the hospital, and records showed no evidence of it being rescheduled.
During the inquest, it was emphasized that this failure to rebook the appointment might have contributed to the lack of timely medical intervention.
The inquest revealed that Orme had pre-existing health issues including diabetes and hypertension.
A post-mortem CT scan determined that he succumbed to coronary artery disease, with contributory factors including aortic valve disease and left ventricular hypertrophy.
The findings underscored that his death was due to natural causes, specifically heart disease.
Following his passing, Wymott Prison announced that a series of measures were being implemented to improve healthcare monitoring.
These included systems designed to ensure prison staff, particularly kitchen and healthcare personnel, were aware of prisoners with specific dietary needs, such as those with diabetes.
This was part of a broader effort to prevent similar incidents from arising in the future.
Assistant Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg, who delivered the verdict, stated: "Mel Orme had a known heart condition and suffered from diabetes.
He was found dead in his cell at HMP Wymott at around 8am on December 12, 2022.
He died as a result of naturally-occurring heart disease."
