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Plymouth paedophile William Goad dies in prison | Plymouth paedophile William Goad dies in prison |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A Devon paedophile who is believed to have abused up to 3,500 boys has died in prison, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed. | A Devon paedophile who is believed to have abused up to 3,500 boys has died in prison, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed. |
William Goad, 68, from Plymouth died of "natural causes" overnight at HMP Albany, on the Isle of Wight. | William Goad, 68, from Plymouth died of "natural causes" overnight at HMP Albany, on the Isle of Wight. |
The MoJ said: "As with all deaths in custody, the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation." | The MoJ said: "As with all deaths in custody, the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation." |
Goad was jailed for life in 2004 for sexual offences over a 35-year period. | Goad was jailed for life in 2004 for sexual offences over a 35-year period. |
'Jubilation' at death | |
Goad, who ran shops and market stalls, was jailed for 14 serious sex offences and two counts of indecent assault following a court case in 2004 in which he was described as a "voracious, calculating, predatory and violent homosexual paedophile". | Goad, who ran shops and market stalls, was jailed for 14 serious sex offences and two counts of indecent assault following a court case in 2004 in which he was described as a "voracious, calculating, predatory and violent homosexual paedophile". |
Plymouth Crown Court was told he groomed his victims by offering them well-paid jobs in his shops and inviting them back to his home. | Plymouth Crown Court was told he groomed his victims by offering them well-paid jobs in his shops and inviting them back to his home. |
In 2010 one of Goad's victims, Ray Zolla from Newquay, was awarded a six-figure sum in damages for the abuse he suffered as a teenager. | In 2010 one of Goad's victims, Ray Zolla from Newquay, was awarded a six-figure sum in damages for the abuse he suffered as a teenager. |
Learning of Goad's death, Mr Zolla said: "Initially I was quite shocked but since then jubilation has come over me. | |
"As morbid as it sounds, I'm actually quite happy that a higher justice has been served and there's no way he can come back into the community. | |
"I'm glad it's come to an end but unfortunately a lot of the guys and survivors will still carry that pain for the rest of our lives." | |
He previously told the BBC that the abuse had "totally consumed" his life and caused him to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. | |
Goad was jailed for life, with a six-year minimum term, in 2004. | Goad was jailed for life, with a six-year minimum term, in 2004. |