A convicted rapist who died in hospital collapsed in his cell after suffering a stroke, an inquiry has concluded.
Paul Dowds took unwell at HMP Low Moss, near Bishopbriggs, eight months after being remanded in custody to await trial on charges of assault to severe injury and robbery. Glasgow Live reports that the 45-year-old was discovered by wardens on his back in his cell on the morning of June 19 2020.
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) heard that the convicted sex offender was found with vomit around his mouth, struggling to breathe. He died a month later in Glasgow Royal Infirmary despite the best efforts of medics to save him.
Dowds had been sentenced to seven years in jail for rape in 2007, and had previously flouted the terms of the sex offenders' register by going AWOL in Greenock for a week. He was later found more than 200 miles away in Liverpool after being stabbed.
In a written summary of the inquiry, Sheriff David Taylor said that nothing could "reasonably have been done" to prevent Dowds' death. He added that the medical treatment given to the rapist had been "appropriate".
Sheriff Taylor wrote: "Paul Dowds was a 45-year-old man who had a history of drug use and mental health problems. He had also suffered from a previous seizure in 2014.
"On the morning of June 19, 2020, Mr Dowds was found lying on his back on the floor of his cell in an unresponsive condition. The appropriate code blue message was transmitted immediately and prison officers and nursing staff attended promptly in response to the code blue message.
"Mr Dowds received appropriate treatment including oxygen therapy and a 40ml dose of naxolone whilst an ambulance was called. On admission to hospital sadly Mr Dowds' condition did not improve despite receiving appropriate medical treatment and he died on July 11, 2020.
"Having considered the treatment provided to Mr Dowds at HM Prison Low Moss and at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, I am satisfied that he was well cared for throughout and that there is nothing more that could have been done for him."
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