Colin Harding

Colin Harding, a convicted sex offender, was imprisoned at HMP Stafford in the Midlands following his sentencing on 13 January 2022. He received a 21-year custodial sentence for sexual offences, though specific details of the crimes were not outlined in the report. Harding, aged 74 at the time of his death, passed away on 3 August 2024, having served less than a quarter of his term.

An investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) determined that Harding's death resulted from natural causes, specifically squamous carcinoma of the skin, a type of skin cancer. Contributory factors included atrial fibrillation, ischaemic heart disease, and prostate cancer. The PPO report stated: "Mr Harding died of squamous carcinoma of the skin (type of skin cancer), with atrial fibrillation (irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate), ischaemic heart disease (heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries), and carcinoma of prostate (prostate cancer) contributory factors, on 3 August 2024 at HMP Stafford." The PPO extended condolences to Harding's family and friends.

An independent clinical review commissioned by NHS England assessed the care provided to Harding during his incarceration and concluded it was of a good standard. However, the reviewer identified an unacceptable delay in communicating Harding's histology results to him following surgery in February 2023. An inquest held in December 2024 formally confirmed the cause of death as natural causes.

The case highlights ongoing issues in prison healthcare, particularly regarding timely communication of medical results to inmates. Harding's death occurred at HMP Stafford, a facility in Staffordshire, England, underscoring the UK's prison system's role in managing long-term sentences for serious offenders.