A man in prison died from coronary heart disease and chronic kidney failure after not taking his medication, a report has concluded.

John Kenny was remanded in custody at HMP Preston on November 25, 2022, after being charged with harassment and assault.

At his initial healthcare screening, staff identified Mr Kenny's long-term hypertension (high blood pressure) and continued his medication to manage the symptoms.

However, on December 3, staff found Mr Kenny confused and walking into other prisoners' cells.

A mental health nurse assessed Mr Kenny and confirmed his confusion but could not identify a clear cause.

Mr Kenny moved to the healthcare unit for further observation, where tests showed he had not been taking his blood pressure medication as prescribed.

Further tests showed abnormal readings, and Mr Kenny was taken to hospital by an emergency ambulance for an urgent CT scan.

On December 8, the hospital renal team took a biopsy of Mr Kenny's kidney, and on December 21 he was diagnosed with stage five chronic kidney disease due to uncontrolled high blood pressure.

The healthcare team at HMP Preston monitored Mr Kenny closely, in between several stays in hospital, with dialysis and a kidney transplant organised.

However, on March 18, 2023, officers found Mr Kenny unresponsive in his room.

They called an ambulance and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before paramedics arrived.

Attempts to revive Mr Kenny were unsuccessful, and his death was pronounced at 10.07pm.

A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Kenny died of coronary heart disease, and chronic renal failure and high blood pressure were listed as contributory factors.

The clinical reviewer concluded the clinical care Mr Kenny received at Preston was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said: "We found no issues with the non-clinical care provided to Mr Kenny at Preston.

"When officers identified Mr Kenny’s confusion, they rightly made an urgent referral to healthcare.

"Thereafter, Mr Kenny spent periods of his time in the healthcare unit and in hospital so that his ongoing symptoms could be appropriately monitored and investigated.

"We found that healthcare staff were diligent and compassionate in their care of Mr Kenny and bring this to the attention of the Head of Healthcare."

The inquest into Mr Kenny’s death concluded on July 5, 2024.

The coroner confirmed that Mr Kenny died from natural causes.