69-year-old Barry Rossiter of Evistones Gardens, Walker, Newcastle was sentenced to 26 years in prison in October 2022 for a string of sexual offences including an attack on a child.
The BBC reported that he was convicted for 23 offences that spanned over three decades, with Judge Sarah Mallett dubbing the impact of his crimes as “profound and permanent” during sentencing.
One of Mr Rossiter’s victims also read an impact statement in court where it was reported she lives in “survival mode” due to the abuse she suffered.
She said: “I didn’t deserve what you did to me, absolutely nobody does. I despise your every living cell.
“I know the trauma will exist for the rest of my life so it’s only fair for him to live the rest of his days in prison.
“He has caused so much unnecessary lifelong pain and trauma to myself and others.”
On March 23, 2024, just a year-and-a-half into his sentence at HMP Northumberland, Mr Rossiter died in hospital from sepsis caused by an inflamed bowel.
A report into his death by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman released on Friday (January 10) revealed that Mr Rossiter was never physically examined despite repeated blood tests over the course of 20 months that was showing his anaemia was getting worse.
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It was concluded that Mr Rossiter should have been examined and referred to general surgery and an earlier opinion may have identified the colitis earlier.
Following his death, recommendations have been made that the prison’s Head of Healthcare should ensure there is policy to follow up with results and that “red flag symptoms” are communicated to create no delays in care.
An inquest into Mr Rossiter’s death on January 9 found that he died of natural causes.