William Goad (12 July 1944 – 20 October 2012) was a British millionaire businessman from

Plymouth Plymouth ( ) is a port city status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Devon, South West England. It is located on Devon's south coast between the rivers River Plym, Plym and River Tamar, Tamar, about southwest of Exeter and ...

, Devon, who was imprisoned for life for child rape. He was called in various newspapers "Britain's most prolific paedophile",A one-man crime wave?
4 February 2005, Betsan Powys, BBC with his assaults causing two of his victims to commit suicide. His abuse spanned 35 years with victims as young as eight.

Career

Goad opened Cornish Market World in 1991, which became at one point Britain's biggest indoor market with more than 300 stalls.
, January 30, 2014, ''Cornish Guardian'' 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. Goad's fortune was once estimated to be around £25 million.

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. 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 Ivybridge is a town and civil parish in the South Hams, in Devon, England. It lies about east of Plymouth. It is at the southern extremity of Dartmoor, a National Park of England and Wales and lies along the A38 "Devon Expressway" road. The ...

. In 1998 he fled to Thailand on a false passport, aware that police were on his tail following new allegations. He was arrested in June 2003 after returning to UK on a false passport. A bank employee had tipped the police off, following his credit card use in the UK. He was arrested while travelling on a train with his financial advisor and business associate; he was immediately rushed to hospital following chest complaints. He required heart surgery before being fit to stand in court. 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.

Trial and sentence

Goad's trial took place at Plymouth Crown Court. Initially he pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed he was sexually abused at a younger age. 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.Britain's worst paedophile William Goad left just £50,000 – not enough to compensate his victims
, January 24, 2014, ''Plymouth Herald'' At his sentencing, Martin Meeke QC stated "It is believed there has been no single defendant with more victims than this man". The court described him as a “voracious, calculating, predatory and violent homosexual paedophile” who sexually abused young boys over a 30-year period. Goad was sent to prison for life in October 2004.

Death

Goad died of natural causes at

HM Prison Albany HM Prison Albany is a Category B men's prison, situated on the outskirts of Newport on the Isle of Wight, England. The prison is operated by His Majesty's Prison Service. Albany is located next to Parkhurst, another Male/B prison and togethe ...

on 20 October 2012."I hope he rots in hell": Victims of Britain's biggest paedophile rejoice at his death
22 October 2012, Paul Cockerton, ''Daily Mirror''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goad, William English people convicted of rape English people convicted of child sexual abuse English people convicted of indecent assault People from Ivybridge Businesspeople from Plymouth, Devon English LGBTQ businesspeople English gay men 1944 births 2012 deaths Gay businessmen English people who died in prison custody Prisoners who died in England and Wales detention Violence against men in the United Kingdom Criminals from Devon