WILLIAM GOAD, PLYMOUTH PAEDOPHILE, DIES IN PRISON ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT
In a tragic development, William Goad, a notorious paedophile from Plymouth, has passed away while serving his prison sentence on the Isle of Wight.The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed that Goad, aged 68, died of what has been described as 'natural causes' during the early hours at HMP Albany.
As is customary in cases of inmate deaths, an investigation will be conducted by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
Goad was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2004 after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences spanning over three decades.
His criminal record includes 14 serious sex offences and two counts of indecent assault, which led to his lengthy incarceration.
The court proceedings at Plymouth Crown Court painted a disturbing picture of Goad as a 'voracious, calculating, predatory, and violent homosexual paedophile.' During the trial, it was revealed that Goad, who was involved in running shops and market stalls, used manipulative grooming tactics to lure young boys.
He would offer them well-paid jobs in his shops and invite them to his home, exploiting their trust and vulnerability.
His actions left a deep scar on his victims, some of whom have spoken publicly about the lasting impact of his abuse.
One such victim, Ray Zolla from Newquay, was awarded a six-figure sum in damages in 2010 after successfully pursuing civil proceedings against Goad.
Zolla, who was abused as a teenager, recounted that Goad did not admit to the abuse during the criminal case, which compelled him to seek justice through civil courts.
Zolla expressed that the trauma had 'totally consumed' his life and led to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.
He also shared the emotional toll of facing Goad during the trial, stating, 'I could not bear to look at him.' Goad's criminal activities and subsequent sentencing drew significant media attention, especially given his reputation as one of Britain’s most notorious predatory paedophiles.
Despite his lengthy sentence, Goad’s case continued to be a subject of public concern, particularly regarding his potential for parole.
In December 2010, Goad, then 65, made a failed bid for parole.
At that time, he was described as a 'predatory paedophile' who once boasted about abusing 142 boys within a single year.
His sentence, handed down on October 4, 2004, by Judge William Taylor, mandated that he serve a minimum of six years and two months of a discretionary life sentence.
The judge emphasized that Goad would not be released until authorities were convinced he no longer posed a risk to children, hinting that his life sentence could effectively mean life imprisonment.
Recent assessments by the Prison Service, the Probation Service, police’s sexual offences unit, and social services concluded that Goad remained a very high risk.
The review process involved listening to statements from his victims, many of whom expressed their fears and opposition to his release.
It was revealed that Goad had previously absconded to Thailand for eight years, living under a false identity with a fake passport, which significantly influenced the decision to deny him parole.
Goad attempted to portray himself as a reformed individual, claiming he no longer required to be classified as a high-risk Category A prisoner.
He argued that he had completed all recommended courses and was suffering from health issues, including hospitalizations, which he claimed would necessitate living in sheltered housing for the remainder of his days.
Despite these claims, prison authorities rejected his request for a downgrade to Category C, which would have allowed him to be transferred to an open prison with less stringent security measures.
Sergeant John Livingstone, involved in Goad’s case, explained that Goad had tried to present himself as a changed man, asserting that he wanted to be treated with dignity and had done everything possible to demonstrate remorse.
Goad also highlighted his poor financial situation, despite civil claims for compensation that had been filed against him.
Livingstone noted that Goad’s attempts to appear rehabilitated were not convincing enough to warrant early release.
Goad’s background includes a stint as a director of Cornish Market World, a prominent entertainment complex that houses Ben’s Playworld, one of the largest indoor children’s play parks in the South West.
His involvement in property deals contributed to his wealth, making him a millionaire prior to his incarceration.
One of Goad’s victims, Paul Wyatt, expressed relief that he was denied parole, describing it as a 'travesty of justice' if he had been released.
Wyatt and others who suffered at Goad’s hands have endured long-lasting psychological scars, with some victims tragically taking their own lives.
Wyatt emphasized that Goad had shown no remorse and had actively resisted efforts to bring him to justice, further fueling the outrage among the victims and their families.
