Hospital and prison chiefs in the north-east have been criticised over the death of a rapist.
Giovanni Cocozza was diagnosed with lung and liver cancer only 24 hours before his death from a brain haemorrhage on March 7, 2011.
The 78-year-old had been treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Peterhead Prison – where he served part of a 10-year sentence for a 12-year campaign of rape and abuse – but medics had failed to spot his symptoms.
Now a fatal accident inquiry report into his death has highlighted “personal and institutional shortcomings” at the two institutions, as well as at HMP Glenochil, where he spent his final months.
Cocozza died at Stirling Royal Infirmary, having been transferred to Glenochil in December 2010.
The former chip shop and ice cream van owner from Lanarkshire was sentenced for raping two women and abusing five girls between 1964 and 1976.
He is understood to have had cancer in September 2010, when he first complained of symptoms following his transfer to Peterhead.
An ultrasound at ARI found a liver lesion, which prompted a call for a CT scan on his abdomen, which was then rejected.
However, the refusal was not relayed back to Cocozza’s medical team.
The FAI found that “proper communication” between clinicians and the radiology department would have resulted in an earlier diagnosis but added: “Even if the cancer did in some way contribute to the death, there was no way of predicting the fatal ICH.”
The report also said the failure to diagnose cancer could have lost Cocozza the opportunity to be consider for compassionate release from imprisonment, and said the issue highlighted that “prisoners are the most deprived medically in Scotland”.
An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said the points raised in the determination had been noted.
A Scottish Prison System (SPS) spokesman said: “SPS is aware that the findings of the sheriff have now been published. We will take time to ensure we consider fully any matters relevant to SPS.”