A PERVERT from Poole who was sentenced for repeatedly abusing a young boy in the late 1970s and early 1980s died of natural causes, an inquest heard.

Southampton Coroner's Court heard how William Alfred King died at Southampton General Hospital after suffering a heart attack four years into a 13-year prison sentence.

King, formerly of Trinidad Crescent, Poole, was transferred from HMP Isle of Wight to Southampton General Hospital on February 13 this year after he complained of chest pain.

Doctors had decided not to operate on the 69-year-old's abdominal aneurism and he eventually died from a leaking heart valve.

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “Mr King was too high a risk for an operation. The situation appeared to be beyond redeeming.

“He continued to deteriorate for a few days until he died on February 13.”

King, was jailed in 2009 at Bournemouth Crown Court for a string of sexual offences nearly 40 years ago.

In all, he was convicted of 15 sex offences from 1972 to 1974.

It took 37 years for King to be brought to justice after his victim came forward.

Police at the time said that they thought there might be other people who had been affected by King.

The jury heard “bad character” evidence about King's previous conviction in 2004 of sexual assault against a second young boy. He was jailed for 12 months.

King, had been told to serve three quarters of his prison term before being considered for parole.