A MAN jailed for 10 years after stabbing two women with a carving fork multiple times in Harlow died behind bars after taking an overdose of an antidepressant drug reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Alan Giles of Woodley’s attacked the women in their own home back in November 2019.

The 71-year-old was jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court for 10 years in May 2020 on two counts of causing grievous bodily harm.

He remained at HMP Chelmsford until he was transferred to HMP Swaleside in July 2020. He then later transferred to HMP Wayland in Norfolk in April 2023.

He died at that jail on December 7, 2023, from an overdose of antidepressant drug citalopram, which he had been allowed to keep in his cell.

On 21 November 2023, Mr Giles collected his 28-day prescription of 40mg citalopram from the medications hatch, and no concerns were raised.

He was declared dead soon after being found unresponsive in his cell. A post-mortem examination gave Giles’ cause of death as citalopram toxicity.

A statement as part of a review into the death by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said: “The head of healthcare confirmed that a medication risk assessment was completed when Mr Giles arrived at Wayland before he was authorised to keep his medication in his cell.

“Staff had not had any reason to suspect that he was not taking his medication as prescribed.

“According to his medical records, Mr Giles collected a 28-day prescription of citalopram on  November 21 2023.

“Healthcare and pharmacy staff could not confirm whether Mr Giles had taken more than his prescribed daily dose of citalopram prior to his death because his medication was not returned to healthcare following the clearance of his cell after his death.

“There is no evidence that Mr Giles was at risk of suicide and self-harm or that he intentionally took more citalopram than he should have done.”

On the morning of the attack on November 18, 2019, Giles knocked on their door, pushed one of the women out the way and then repeatedly stabbed her with a carving fork.

She was stabbed numerous times in her arm and leg, causing 16 puncture wounds.

Another woman was also stabbed by Giles and suffered chest injuries.

Giles fled the scene but was later arrested at his home, a two-pronged fork was found in his sink.

Investigating officer PC Paul Marks, of Harlow CID described how the two women were very lucky to have not been more seriously injured in the attack.

PC Marks said at the time: “Giles subjected two women to a horrific attack armed with a carving fork.

“He was known to them and the attack took both victims by surprise after they opened their front door to him.

“This was an unprovoked attack within the victims’ home, a place they considered as safe.

“It is purely a question of pure luck that he did not cause more serious injuries – with one of the victims sustaining 16 puncture wounds and the other receiving chest injuries.”