WILLIAM KING FROM POOLE DIES OF NATURAL CAUSES AFTER PRISON SENTENCE FOR SEX OFFENCES IN HAMPSHIRE

In April 2014, it was reported that William Alfred King, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offences, passed away due to natural causes while serving a prison sentence. The incident was confirmed during an inquest held at Southampton Coroner’s Court, where it was revealed that King died at Southampton General Hospital after suffering a heart attack. This occurred four years into his 13-year incarceration, which was the result of a conviction related to his past crimes.

William King, who was 69 years old at the time of his death, was a resident of Trinidad Crescent in Poole. His transfer to Southampton General Hospital took place on February 13 of that year, after he had complained of chest pains. Medical assessments determined that surgery was too risky due to his age and health condition, specifically an abdominal aneurysm. Despite efforts to treat him, King’s health rapidly declined, culminating in his death from a leaking heart valve. Coroner Keith Wiseman, presiding over the inquest, recorded a verdict of death by natural causes, stating, “Mr King was too high a risk for an operation. He continued to deteriorate for a few days until he died on February 13.”

King’s criminal history was extensive and deeply troubling. In 2009, he was convicted at Bournemouth Crown Court for a series of sexual offences committed nearly four decades earlier. The court heard that King had engaged in a pattern of abuse against a young boy, with the offences spanning from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. The victim, now an adult in his 40s, was unable to be identified publicly for legal reasons.

In May 2013, King was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault and other serious sexual offences. Prosecutor Roseleen Collins described the case as an “appalling and harrowing catalogue of offences,” emphasizing that King had subjected his young victim to numerous degrading, humiliating, and painful acts. The abuse reportedly began when the boy was just six or seven years old and occurred approximately four or five times annually, both in King’s bedroom and in his garden shed located in the Parkstone area of Poole.

The victim later disclosed his abuse to medical professionals and psychiatrists, and in 2009, confided in a girlfriend about his experiences. The following year, he saw a newspaper report detailing King’s earlier conviction for 15 sex offences committed against a child in the early to mid-1970s. This revelation prompted him to come forward and report his own abuse to the police, providing the courage to seek justice.

Further investigations uncovered that King had previously been convicted in December 2003 for sexually assaulting another young boy. Following his 2010 conviction, Mr. Arnold, who waived his right to anonymity, condemned King’s actions, stating, “He’s shown no care and no remorse. He’s denied everything. This man is an animal. He is a dangerous man to society and should never be allowed onto the streets again. He’s not only destroyed the lives of his victims but also devastated their families.”

Mr. Arnold also urged anyone who might have been victimized by King to come forward and report their experiences to the police, emphasizing that it is never too late to seek justice. The case remains a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of such heinous crimes and the importance of vigilance and support for victims.