A homeless sex offender who groped and robbed their victim at knifepoint died just four days after being released from prison.
Alan Richardson, from Folkestone, was jailed after sexually assaulting a woman and robbing her at knifepoint in a supermarket car park in Dover back in 2013.
After being locked up for more than seven years, the knifeman would only be free on the streets for four days before dying in Royal Surrey County Hospital on April 18 2021, aged 62.
In a report prepared by the Prisons & Probations Ombudsman and issued today, it was found Richardson suffered from a catalogue of health issues and his cause of death was given as a lack of oxygen to the brain caused by cardiac arrest and heart disease.
Upon arriving at his approved premises late on the day of his release, the registered sex offender had a seizure which led to him requiring CPR in his room before being transported to hospital.
Mr Richardson had expressed concern about travelling on his own to the approved premises and a taxi driver tasked with getting him to the site reportedly dropped him off at the seafront.
Within hours of the seizure, he was taken into intensive care, sedated and put on a ventilator which he would remain on until dying late April 18.
Richardson’s heart disease was caused by coronary artery atheroma – a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries around the heart.
The report also found Richardson had a history of health problems including evidence of multiple strokes and memory issues as well as a heart attack in 2011.
The criminal’s memory issues were believed to be so bad an 18-month supply of medication he had meant to take was found stashed away in prison.
The clinical reviewer concluded that although Mr Richardson’s long-term health conditions were monitored appropriately at HMP Littlehey, his clinical care overall was not equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.
Significant omissions in the handling of the clinical aspects of Mr Richardson’s release were found though no formal recommendations were made in the conclusion of the investigation into his death.
Richardson had pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and sexual assault in December 2013. He was sent to prison for four years and eight months – athough he had another three years added to his licence.
During proceedings the court heard how Richardson had been considered a hard worker until he suffered from a heart attack which changed his behaviour.
It was also noted he had four previous convictions in the 1970s of indecent assault – one of which included burglary.
Richardson was released from HMP Dartmoor on 25 November 2016 and was expected to report to his probation office that day but failed to do so – a move which saw his licence revoked and landed him back in jail until he was released in April 2021.
No funeral service was held and Richardson was cremated in May 2021.
