SERIAL killer Peter Tobin died with cancer after refusing medical tests, an inquiry has revealed.
Tobin, aged 76, died on October 8, 2022 at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary a month after sustaining a fall in his jail cell at HMP Edinburgh where he was serving three life sentences for murder.
His death occurred 16 years and a day after his first appearance in Glasgow Sheriff Court on October 9, 2006, for the murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk, 23.
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Her body was hidden under St Patrick’s Church in Glasgow, where convicted sex offended Tobin worked as a handyman.
In July 2007, Tobin was charged with murdering Vicky Hamilton, 15, who vanished in 1991.
Also found in the same location were the remains of Dinah McNicol, 18, a hitchhiker who disappeared in 1991 after leaving a rave in the Home Counties.
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death in custody, heard that Tobin was diagnosed from dementia in December 2020, and suffered from a litany of health problems, including strokes, dizziness and chest pains. He used a walking stick and wheelchair.
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The court heard that cancer had been suggested as far back as 2016, but Tobin was “unwilling to undergo testing”.
Procurator fiscal depute Richard Brown said: “On September 8, 2022, Mr Tobin was being held in HMP Edinburgh, his cell was opened by a prison officer to allow him to collect medication.
“Mr Tobin had taken steps without a walking stick, he was reminded he didn’t have a walking stick, and he fell and landed on his side.
“The prison officer reported he was in pain but okay, and a nurse and prison officer helped him onto his bed.”
Tobin was admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the following day underwent surgery for a fractured right hip.
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Tests also established he was suffering from metastatic prostate cancer and delirium, as well as hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Tobin was warned he was unlikely to survive and he died less than a month after the operation, the hearing was told.
GeoAmey staff reported that he was speaking incoherently shortly before his death which was confirmed at 5.45am on October 8.
Brown said: “Mr Tobin was seen by the palliative care team and effort was made to make his condition comfortable.
“Mr Tobin was told it was unlikely he would be discharged from hospital.
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“He had a Do Not Resuscitate Order which meant medical staff could not restart his heart.
“He was monitored at all times by officers from GeoAmey.”
He added: “Mr Tobin was in bed and was described as breathing heavily in the early hours. He was speaking incoherently.”
An officer guarding Tobin went to alert a nurse due to concerns at about 4.35am and he was confirmed dead an hour later.
On October 12, 2022, a post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as bronchial pneumonia in a man with a fractured right neck of femur (surgically treated on September 9 2022), generalised vascular disease and prostate cancer.”
A review was carried out to see if areas of “learning” could be established.
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss said: “I will be issuing my determination as soon as possible.”
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