Name Home News Your Area Our Careers Online Services Help & Advice Contact Us About Us COVID-19 Home News 2021 December Man charged in hospital investigation News Man charged in hospital investigation Wednesday, December 1, 2021 A man has been charged by police in connection with investigations related to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. In November 2018, police began investigating allegations of mistreatment and neglect on the hospital’s stroke unit. Enquiries led to the identification of other offences, including the murder of a 75-year-old woman from Blackpool and alleged sexual offences against patients and staff at the hospital. In March, a healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murder, two offences of rape and one offence of sexual assault. He was rearrested in connection with further offences of rape and sexual assault in July. The man was suspended by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Today (Wednesday, December 1), following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Hernando Puno, 51, of Layton, Blackpool, has been charged with nine counts of sexual assault related to seven women. The charges are alleged to have occurred at the hospital between November 2012 and March 2021. Puno has been bailed to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on January 4, 2022. This inquiry is not linked to the ongoing investigation into allegations of mistreatment and neglect. The murder investigation into the death of Valerie Kneale continues. Anyone with information in connection with the investigation can contact police on 101 or report online at: https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk quoting log 0757 of December 1. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. Other News UPDATE: Appeal following machete attack in Accrington | December 04, 2021 Man sentenced for killing father in Nelson home | December 03, 2021 Man jailed for car rage attack close to Blackpool pier | December 03, 2021 Trio jailed after £3.25million of cannabis found hidden in crates of frozen meat in Oswaldtwistle warehouse | December 03, 2021 UPDATE: Have you seen missing Antony? | December 02, 2021 Related News Man jailed for car rage attack close to Blackpool pier (December 03, 2021) Man charged in hospital investigation (December 01, 2021) Pair jailed after child is filmed being sexually abused (December 01, 2021) Witness appeal after Blackpool attack (November 26, 2021) Chief Constable marks White Ribbon Day (November 25, 2021) Rate this page Give us your feedback on this page Popular Pages Speed Awareness Stop and Search Online Fraud Counter Terrorism Mounted Branch Get Safe Online Your Area Lancashire Talking Blackburn and Darwen Police Burnley Police Blackpool Police Lancaster Police Preston Police Online Services Contact an Officer Direct Report a Crime or Incident Lost and Found Property Join Us Say Thanks Contact Us Accessibility Cookies Links policy Website Privacy Policy Privacy Notice National Fraud Initiative Copyright © Lancashire Constabulary 2021. All rights reserved. We have placed cookies on your computer to help make this website better. More details can be found in our privacy policy.