David Reid, a former reggae musician from Manchester who was imprisoned for the rape and sexual abuse of a young girl in the early 1980s, has died in prison at the age of 63. He was serving his sentence at HMP Rye Hill, a category B training prison in Warwickshire. His death in January 2021 has been investigated in a recent report following an inquest hearing which concluded that he died of heart failure due to heart disease. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, responsible for investigating all deaths in custody, stated that the healthcare Reid received in prison "was not equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community".

The ombudsman also noted a 'delay' in discovering Reid in his cell, but couldn't confirm whether this 'affected the outcome for him'. Reid, originally from Withington, Manchester, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in August 2013 for a series of historic sex offences, including rape and indecent assault, against one victim.

He was previously a guitarist with the Manchester band X-O-Dus, the only reggae artists on Tony Wilson's Factory Records label, known for their 1980 single, English Black Boys. Reid faced the dock with admissions of indecent assault on a young girl, but remained resolute in denying four counts of rape against the same victim at Manchester Crown Court. Nevertheless, he was found guilty on all rape charges post-trial.

According to court details, he subjected the girl to repeated abuse and rape over three years during the 1980s in Moss Side.

A report from the prisons watchdog said Reid's health profile included obesity, high blood pressure, and a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.

Sue McAllister, the ombudsman, detailed in her report the medications used by Mr Reid for his blood pressure management. Her words were critical: "The clinical reviewer found that medication changes made by prison GPs to reduce the swelling in his legs appear to have contributed to poor control of his blood pressure."

Furthermore, McAllister's report highlighted systemic healthcare issues within the prison system, stating: "The clinical reviewer also found that prisoners with long-term conditions were not monitored sufficiently because of a lack of trained specialist nurses, there was no recall system in place to monitor prisoners with long-term conditions, and there was a lack of continuity of care because Mr Reid was seen by a number of different GPs."

Ms McAllister expressed concerns that an officer who conducted the morning roll call, along with two others who unlocked his cell for medication and breakfast, 'failed to obtain a response from him' in accordance with prison policies. "While we do not know whether the delay in finding Mr Reid affected the outcome for him, it is critical that prison staff carry out welfare checks correctly as early intervention can save lives," she penned.

A prison custody officer declared a medical emergency at 8.40am on the day of his demise. The report discloses that the roll call count was done at 7.15am, where he was observed 'lying in his bed, seemingly asleep'.

"The clinical reviewer found that the care that Mr Reid received at Rye Hill in relation to his cardiovascular disease was not of the required standard and was not equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community," the ombudsman stated.

The report reveals that one prison staff member resigned following the incident.

An inquest into Reid's death concluded in September 2024, recording a verdict of natural causes.

HMP Rye Hill, managed by G4S, houses men convicted of sex offences. A spokesperson for HMP Rye Hill commented: "We review all Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) reports thoroughly and take recommendations seriously. We implemented several changes following the death of Mr Reid."