An inmate at HMP Bure in north Norfolk died with a rare blood cancer after refusing treatment, a court was told.
Stephen Riley, 52, who was originally from Nottingham, was transferred to HMP Bure in Badersfield in December 2020.
By September 2022, prison officers raised concerns with the healthcare team about Mr Riley’s health.
At this time, he declined any help due to being “needle phobic”.
He eventually agreed to being seen at hospital and following tests was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Evidence read out at Norfolk Coroner’s Court during an inquest into his death heard that he “did not always comply” with his medication and declined support.
On July 30 last year, he fell over and sustained a hip and head injury. He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N) for treatment.
His condition deteriorated and he died there on August 13.
The medical cause of death was given as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Norfolk’s senior coroner, Jacqueline Lake, concluded his died from “natural causes”.
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