Raymond Sowter

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Raymond Sowter,
a prisoner at HMP Wymott,
on 20 June 2025
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, 2026
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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. On 26 April 2024, Mr Raymond Sowter was convicted of sexual offences and was
sentenced to nine years in prison.
4. Mr Sowter died in hospital of advanced gastric carcinoma (cancer that began in the
stomach which has spread to another part of the body) on 20 June 2025, while a
prisoner at HMP Wymott. He was 77 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr
Sowter’s family and friends.
5. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Sowter’s family to explain the investigation
and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They did not
respond.
6. We shared the initial report with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
7. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr
Sowter’s clinical care at HMP Wymott. The clinical reviewer’s report is attached as
Annex 1.
8. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Sowter received at Wymott
was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected to
receive in the community. She identified good practice in relation to timely referral to
the palliative care team and collaborative working to manage Mr Sowter’s
symptoms.
9. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Sowter’s
care.
10. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
Inquest
11. The inquest into Mr Sowter’s death concluded on 2 April 2026. The coroner
confirmed that Mr Sowter died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher April 2026
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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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