A paedophile who carried out horrific sexual offences against children with his wife more than 35 years ago died just months after he was jailed.

Richard Winfield was 90 when he was locked up for carrying out indecent assaults on two children in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Ashford area.

His wife Pauline Winfield, who was 82 when she was jailed in January last year, took part in the offences against one child.

The indecency against the first victim – who was aged under 10 – took place in the 1970s, while the offences against the second – a teenager – were carried out in the 1980s.

Complaints were first made to police in 2005 but the case was later shelved.

However, the Winfields, both of White Horse Lane in Rhodes Minnis, near Canterbury, were arrested in 2018 after further allegations were made.

A report published this week by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) reveals Winfield died on April 6, 2023, just months after he was jailed for the historic crimes.

It says he died of respiratory failure and had lung and prostate cancer, Type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and frailty.

The NHS commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to assess Winfield’s care at HMP Elmley.

The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Winfield’s daughter to explain an investigation had been launched and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider.

“Mr Winfield’s daughter was concerned that when Mr Winfield arrived at Elmley his healthcare was inconsistent, and his symptoms were not being controlled,” the report states.

“Mr Winfield’s daughter’s concerns are addressed in the clinical review.

“The clinical reviewer concluded the clinical care Mr Winfield received at Elmley was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.

“She found that Mr Winfield’s medical records contained evidence of compassionate care, that care plans were discussed with him, and his individual needs were considered.”

As his wife was led to the cells, Mr Winfield – who had been told he has less than a year to live – shouted to the judge: "She didn't do anything – we didn't do anything."

But a jury rejected the couple's claims of innocence over the series of vile attacks.

Charges were brought in April 2020 after officers tracked down witnesses who corroborated parts of the victims' evidence.

One victim revealed in a statement read to the court how the abuse has impacted their life.

"I trust no one, always believing they have an alternative motive," they said.

"I constantly look to the bad in people, searching for honesty and good.

"This is a legacy I never asked for or wanted. My life has been marred by feeling isolated and lonely, never knowing who to turn to.

"It has been a long, hard road and has taken all my reserves and courage to trust anyone.

"Now all I want is to be heard and this dark cloud lifted from me. I want to be seen as a survivor and not a victim. I deserve justice."

The jury found Richard Winfield guilty of 15 sex offences against children and his wife of seven.

Jailing Richard Winfield for 10 years and his wife for five, the judge told them: "I believe both of you derived sexual gratification and excitement from what a child was made to do.

"In 2005 one of your victims reported what you had done and there was your opportunity to come clean, but you chose not to and the case went nowhere."