A homeless man convicted of strangulation after he had grabbed the neck of a terrified woman in the street in York, died just one month into his prison sentence for the violent attack
Daniel Rocks, a homeless drug user who strangled a woman on the streets of York, has passed away in jail merely a month after his sentencing.
Rocks was found guilty of strangling after he viciously gripped a woman by her neck in an unprovoked assault. The incident saw Rocks hurling the woman against a fence and throttling her in Burton Stone Lane, Clifton, York despite the fact she had tried to help him before he turned violent.
Five courageous bystanders stepped in to rescue the woman from the intoxicated Rocks. Originally from Clifton, Rocks was slapped with a prison sentence of 18 months last June after pleading guilty to ‘intentional strangulation and other counts of assault.
He succumbed to coronary heart disease on July 26 at HMP Hull aged just 46.
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A report released by the Prisons Ombudsman sheds light on Rocks’ demise, reports Yorkshire Live.
The document stated: “On 24 May 2023, Mr Daniel Rocks was convicted of intentional strangulation and sent to HMP Hull. In June he was sentenced to 18 months. He died of coronary heart disease on 26 July, at Hull. He was 46 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Rocks’ family and friends.”
NHS England appointed an independent clinical reviewer to scrutinise the care provided to Rocks at Hull. The review found that the care was “reasonable standard and partially equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.”
While some recommendations were made not related to Rocks’ demise, one was directly connected.
The Ombudsman stated: “The Head of Healthcare should ensure that all healthcare staff adhere to NICE Guidance for patients presenting with raised blood glucose levels.”
After reviewing the initial report, HMPPS (Prison and Probation Service) and Spectrum CIC, the prison healthcare provider, did not dispute any facts. Spectrum CIC has since submitted an action plan attached to the report.
An inquest on October 15 determined that Rocks passed away due to natural causes.
