A paedophile who was jailed after drugging a teenage boy and raping him has died in prison after applying for early release on compassionate grounds.
Terrence Eastwood was jailed for 19 years in 2017 following a trial at Preston Crown Court, where a jury heard how he gave the boy cocaine and tramadol before raping him on a caravan holiday.
The abuse continued over a number of years, with Eastwood keeping his victim quiet by buying him clothes and gifts. His victim later bravely spoke to a counsellor, who reported Eastwood to the police, reports LancsLive.
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Eastwood was found guilty of rape and sexual assault and spent two years at Preston Prison Eastwood before being transferred to HMP Wymott near Leyland in 2019. The prison, next to HMP Garth, houses sex offenders.
He was diagnosed with lung cancer after reporting shortness of breath to the prison GP in May 2021. The 67-year-old then applied for early release on compassionate grounds, but died on October 2 before the application could progress.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman carried out an independent investigation to determine if the care provided to Eastwood was in line with that he would have received in the community - as takes place with all deaths in prison. No non-clinical issues were found, but the ombudsman did make recommendations relating to referring prisoners with suspected cancer to specialist services, shielding and record keeping.
In her report ombudsman Lisa Burrell said: "The prison GP saw Mr Eastwood on 1 July. He noted that while in hospital, Mr Eastwood had a chest X-ray.
"The results showed a partial collapse of his left lung and possible evidence of a malignant growth in his lung. The prison GP made a two week wait referral to the oncology team at Royal Preston Hospital.
"On 20 July, Mr Eastwood attended Royal Preston Hospital for his two-week wait referral. He was admitted to hospital as an inpatient and underwent a series of tests.
"The results showed that Mr Eastwood had developed lung cancer. Hospital staff considered that the cancer may have spread to other areas in his body and that palliative care was the only treatment option open to him. Mr Eastwood was discharged from hospital and went back to the prison on 29 July.
"Mr Eastwood was added to the prison’s palliative care register and referred to St Catherine’s Hospice for support with his prescribed medications and care. His care plans were updated, and healthcare staff continued to review him regularly.
"The prison started a compassionate release application on his behalf. Mr Eastwood died before the application was completed.
"On 6 September, the prison GP saw Mr Eastwood. They discussed his wishes in respect of resuscitation. Mr Eastwood said that he did not want to be resuscitated in the event his heart or breathing stopped. He signed a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) order on his behalf.
"On 1 October, Healthcare Assistant (HCA), saw Mr Eastwood. Mr Eastwood told him that he had been suffering from shortness of breath and that he had blood in his phlegm when he coughed. He also said that he was struggling to keep fluids down when he drank. The HCA referred Mr Eastwood for an urgent GP review.
"A prison GP saw Mr Eastwood later the same day. He took his observations and noted that his oxygen saturation level and temperature were low.
"Mr Eastwood was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by emergency ambulance and was admitted as an inpatient. Mr Eastwood’s condition continued to deteriorate in hospital and at 10am on 2 October 2021, it was confirmed that Mr Eastwood had died."
In September 2021, just after Terrence Eastwood was diagnosed with cancer, his son Darren was given a suspended sentence after it was discovered he had continued to claim his dad's benefits while he was in prison. Darren, who was 42 at the time, splashed out on holidays, takeaways and shopping trips using £20,000 set aside for care needs by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
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