William Goad

William Goad (12 July 1944 – 20 October 2012) was a British millionaire businessman from Plymouth, Devon, who was imprisoned for life for child rape. He was called in various newspapers "Britain's most prolific paedophile",[2][3] with his assaults causing two of his victims to commit suicide. His abuse spanned 35 years with victims as young as eight.

William Goad
A photograph of William Goad following his arrest: he looks old with semi-balding hair line, bushy eyebrows, large bags under his eyes and some facial stubble. He has a white complexion with dark eyes and hair.
Goad following his arrest in 2003
Born(1944-07-12)12 July 1944[1]
Died20 October 2012(2012-10-20) (aged 68)
HM Prison Albany, England
NationalityBritish
OccupationBusinessman
Known forSexual offences
Criminal statusDeceased
Criminal charge14 counts of rape and 2 counts of indecent assault (October 2004)
PenaltyLife imprisonment

Career

Goad opened Cornish Market World in 1991, which became at one point Britain's biggest indoor market with more than 300 stalls.[4] In the mid-1990s Goad launched Ben's Playworld, a children's play zone hosting a range of activities aimed at 2 to 12-year-olds, including mega-slides, giant tubes and a massive ball-pond.[4] Goad's fortune was once estimated to be around £25 million.[5]

Investigation

One of his victims gave statements in the late 80s and early 90s, which led to his first arrest for indecent assault. Goad was put on probation.[5] As a result of increasing statements from victims, a police investigation, Operation Emotion, had opened up. Goad became aware and changed his name to David Scott and moved to the nearby town of Ivybridge.[5] In 1998 he fled to Thailand on a false passport, aware that police were on his tail following new allegations.[6] He was arrested in June 2003 after returning to UK on a false passport.[6] A bank employee had tipped the police off, following his credit card use in the UK.[5] He was arrested while travelling on a train with his financial advisor and business associate; he was immediately rushed to hospital following chest complaints.[5] He required heart surgery before being fit to stand in court.[5] During Goad's ill-health Operation Emotion II had been under way by police and had persuaded 17 victims to testify at trial against him.[5]

Trial and sentence

Goad's trial took place at Plymouth Crown Court.[7] Initially he pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed he was sexually abused at a younger age.[5] Eventually, following overwhelming evidence and comments from the judge to his legal defence, he pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault and 14 counts of rape.[lower-alpha 1][6][5] At his sentencing, Martin Meeke QC stated "It is believed there has been no single defendant with more victims than this man".[8] The court described him as a “voracious, calculating, predatory and violent homosexual paedophile” who sexually abused young boys over a 30-year period.[6] Goad was sent to prison for life in October 2004.[2]

Death

Goad died of natural causes at HM Prison Albany on 20 October 2012.[6][9]

References
  1. At the time of conviction rape was classed as sexual assault
  1. "William Goad: Plymouth's worst ever paedophile and his legacy of torment". The Herald (Plymouth). 24 September 2020.
  2. A one-man crime wave?, 4 February 2005, Betsan Powys, BBC
  3. Activities of dead paedophile William Goad to be re-investigated, 13 September 2013, Steven Morris, The Guardian
  4. Paedophile abused hundreds over four decades, January 30, 2014, Cornish Guardian
  5. Keenan, Shy; Payne, Sara (2009). "20". Where Angels Fear. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-340-93745-7.
  6. Britain's worst paedophile William Goad left just £50,000 – not enough to compensate his victims Archived 2014-10-15 at the Wayback Machine, January 24, 2014, Plymouth Herald
  7. "William Goad case: More victims of paedophile expected to come forward". BBC News. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. "Paedophile receives life sentence". BBC News. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  9. "I hope he rots in hell": Victims of Britain's biggest paedophile rejoice at his death, 22 October 2012, Paul Cockerton, Daily Mirror
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