A high-risk "committed paedophile" who subjected a young girl to a "campaign of rape" died just months into his 21-year prison sentence.
Roy Woodward, 57, of no fixed abode but previously of Runcorn and Widnes, died at the hospice where he had been taken from HMP Altcourse after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
An inquest held today (August 5) at Liverpool coroners' court heard Woodward, described as a motor mechanic by trade, was in custody after being sentenced at Chester Crown Court on April 4 this year.
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On June 14, he was admitted to Aintree Hospital, escorted by a prison officer, and then on June 29 transferred to Woodlands hospice on the hospital campus to receive support following the terminal cancer diagnosis.
On July 21, Woodward was put on end-of-life care after his health deteriorated and he became bed-bound. His family were kept informed and he was pronounced dead on July 23. Although he died in state custody, no issues were raised by police.
Liverpool and Wirral area coroner Anita Bhardwaj concluded Woodward died of natural causes. No family members were present at the hearing.
Woodward was jailed in April after being found guilty of 14 counts of abuse, namely four of rape, eight of indecently assaulting a child, and two of indecency with a child. Some counts represented multiple offences over a period of time, and the abuse began when the victim was very young. At trial in January, prosecutor Matthew Dunford told jurors Woodward - who had a previous conviction of child rape - abused the girl throughout her childhood and after she turned 16.
At sentencing, Judge Patrick Thompson said Woodward plied his victim with sweets to secure her silence as well as alcohol to assist his grooming. He said the abuse began when the girl was very young and became a "campaign of rape" as she grew older. In an impact statement read to the court, the abuse survivor spoke of how since her early 20s she has had “horrific nightmares” resulting from her ordeal and said she believes it also triggered a mental health condition.
Judge Thompson said Woodward should be considered a dangerous offender and "very high risk to children" and sentenced him to 21 years in prison plus four years on extended licence. His wife Gaynor Woodward, 58, of Worcester Court, Runcorn, was convicted of one count of cruelty and sentenced to four years in prison.
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