Paedophile with terminal cancer dies in prison just two months after starting nine year sentence
24.03.2024 - 15:11
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A paedophile who repeatedly abused a teenage boy in the 1980s died in jail just weeks after starting a nine year sentence. Ian Wilkinson had terminal lung cancer and was told by the judge who jailed him in February 2023 that he would 'likely' die in prison.
The 64-year-old, from Upholland, near Wigan, died in April 2023, aged 64 in a hospice just two months after being convicted of nine counts of indecent assault.
A report into his death by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman said Wilkinson was transferred to end-of-life care within days of arriving at HMP Liverpool. After a conversation with his GP a 'do not resuscitate order' was then issued.
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While he was still on remand Wilkinson's legal team also submitted an application for early release on compassionate grounds, which was rejected. After his condition deteriorated he was transferred to St Joseph's Hospice in Liverpool, where he died on the morning of April 5, 2023.
The report found Wilkinson received a 'good standard' of care and that he was 'treated with compassion' through his imprisonment. A inquest later ruled he died of natural causes.
Wilkinson's trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard heard that his assaults occurred in the Newton-le-Willows area in the mid-to-late 80s. Wilkinson, of Ormskirk Road in Upholland, performed sexual acts on his victim and forced him to carry out sex acts.
In a statement in court, which was read out on his behalf by the prosecutor, the victim told how the vile crimes caused his 'world to unravel'. He said: "I went from being an innocent, cheeky young lad to being a lying, cheating, alcohol and drug addicted man."
Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: "[The victim]