Dennis Cheeseman

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Dennis
Cheeseman,
a prisoner at HMP Littlehey,
on 11 July 2024
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2025
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Summary
1. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman aims to make a significant contribution to
safer, fairer custody and community supervision. One of the most important ways in
which we work towards that aim is by carrying out independent investigations into
deaths, due to any cause, of prisoners, young people in detention, residents of
approved premises and detainees in immigration centres.
2. If my office is to best assist His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in
ensuring the standard of care received by those within service remit is appropriate,
our recommendations should be focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially
the case if there is evidence of systemic failure.
3. In April 2022, Mr Dennis Cheeseman was sentenced to 12 years in prison for
sexual offences. He died of pancreatic cancer on 11 July 2024 while a prisoner at
HMP Littlehey. He was 88 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Cheeseman’s
family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman office was unable to contact Mr Cheeseman’s next of kin due to
her personal circumstances.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Cheeseman’s clinical care at HMP Littlehey.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Cheeseman received at
HMP Littlehey was of a good standard and was equivalent to that which he could
have expected to receive in the community. He found that Mr Cheeseman’s
condition was managed as well as possible within a secure setting and additional
care was provided as his condition deteriorated. The clinical reviewer did not make
any recommendations.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr
Cheeseman’s care.
8. We did not identify any non-clinical learning. We make no recommendations.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
10. At an inquest held on 29 January 2025, the Coroner concluded that Mr Cheeseman
died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher November 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE