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| New probe into William Goad paedophile ring allegations | New probe into William Goad paedophile ring allegations |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A new investigation has been launched into "voracious and predatory" paedophile William Goad. | A new investigation has been launched into "voracious and predatory" paedophile William Goad. |
| Goad, who is believed to have abused up to 3,500 boys, was jailed in 2004 at Plymouth Crown Court. He died in prison of natural causes last year aged 68. | |
| There have been claims that some allegations were not fully investigated and members of a paedophile ring linked to Goad could still be at large. | There have been claims that some allegations were not fully investigated and members of a paedophile ring linked to Goad could still be at large. |
| Devon and Cornwall Police said Det Insp Mike Cooper would lead the inquiry. | Devon and Cornwall Police said Det Insp Mike Cooper would lead the inquiry. |
| Goad, who lived in Plymouth, abused boys over a 35-year period dating back to the 1960s. | Goad, who lived in Plymouth, abused boys over a 35-year period dating back to the 1960s. |
| During his trial, Prosecutor Martin Meeke QC described Goad as a "voracious, calculating, predatory and violent homosexual paedophile". | During his trial, Prosecutor Martin Meeke QC described Goad as a "voracious, calculating, predatory and violent homosexual paedophile". |
| Mr Meeke said it was believed there had been "no single defendant with more victims than this man". | Mr Meeke said it was believed there had been "no single defendant with more victims than this man". |
| Goad, who pleaded guilty to 14 specimen counts of serious sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault, was sentenced to life in prison. | Goad, who pleaded guilty to 14 specimen counts of serious sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault, was sentenced to life in prison. |
| 'Abuse record boast' | |
| The new investigation follows a complaint from one of Goad's victims and advice from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). | |
| The complaint - that allegations of abuse by Goad and other paedophiles were ignored by police - was investigated internally by Devon and Cornwall Police's professional standards department and voluntarily referred to the IPCC. | |
| A spokesman told BBC News the IPCC decided an investigation into the conduct of officers was not necessary, although it advised the force to consider further investigations after recognising "there were still areas of concern around allegations made". | |
| During Goad's trial, the jury was told he had boasted of beating his own "record" of sexually abusing 142 boys in one year - a claim Goad denied. | |
| After being convicted, Goad wrote to BBC One's Panorama programme, claiming he himself been "physically, sexually and mentally abused for years" at Forde Park approved school in Newton Abbot where he was sent by magistrates at the age of 10. |