A violent criminal who sexually abused two girls and slashed a woman's throat has died in prison. Emma Kent, who had previous convictions for assaults, arson and weapons possession, molested the children and made them watch her using sex toys at an address in Wirral.
Background of Offending
Kent tried to challenge the allegations but was ultimately found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and four of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. The sentencing judge told her there was "a theme of violence" and she was sentenced to four years in prison in October 2016.
However, it was later revealed that Kent was already serving a six-year sentence for a horrific knife assault which left her terrified victim fearing she was going to die. The judge told Kent: "You have a tendency to blame your mental health concerns rather than accept responsibility for your behaviour."
Further Crimes in Prison
Kent was sent to HMP Low Newton, a high security prison in County Durham, where she committed further offences of arson and assault and was transferred to London's HMP Downview. She was later sentenced to 34 months in prison for the jail offences.
Kent, who had a complex physical and mental health history, spent time at Rampton Secure Hospital but was remitted back to the prison network in July 2021. In December of the same year she was released on licence but was later recalled to HMP Foston Hill, in Derbyshire, in April 2022 for breaches of her licence conditions.
Death in Custody
From early 2023 Kent spent time in the prison's care and separation unit after assaulting a member of staff, but on July 21 of that year it was determined she would be returned to the standard wing. But the following day she self-harmed with a razor blade and was taken to hospital.
In the early evening of July 23 she was discharged and was dispensed medication. But in the early hours of the following morning Kent was found unresponsive and, despite CPR efforts from responding staff and paramedics, died. A post-mortem examination concluded Kent had died of mixed drug toxicity from prescribed medications.
Investigation and Impact
Kent's death was investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, which probes the circumstances of all deaths in custody. It was determined that Kent's care was good and the medication prescription was in line with national guidelines.
Ombudsman Adrian Usher said: "Ms Kent was a complex prisoner and a challenge for healthcare staff and prison staff to manage. All staff worked well together to manage her self-harm which was prolific and unpredictable."
"The clinical reviewer concluded that the care Ms Kent received at Foston Hall was good and equivalent to what she could have expected to receive in the community."
"Ms Kent was prescribed a number of medications and received pain relief medication when she was admitted to hospital after she had self-harmed."
"The clinical reviewer, having taken specialised medical and pharmaceutical advice, concluded that the prescribing of those medications was carried out in line with national guidelines. We make no recommendations."
Kent's sexual offending came to light after the children confided in an adult who contacted the police. When arrested, Kent denied that anything sexual ever took place.
But Liverpool Crown Court heard Kent exposed her "private parts" to them and warned the younger girl to not tell anyone because "it's our secret". Kent's lies and denial led the younger victim to be sectioned, while the older victim told the court: "The pain won't leave, the scars won't fade and the memories will never vanish."
