Bolton sex offender who abused girl for 12 years dies in jail

Martyn Woods, who was 72 when he was sent to prison, was jailed for 14 years for sexual abuse of a girl between 1962 and 1976.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how between 1962 and 1976 Woods repeatedly sexually abused a young girl, starting when she was 4 years old until she was 16.

It was not until 2017 when one of the victim’s came forward that Woods’ crimes were revealed.

He was sentenced in 2018 to a term of 14 years for the offending.

A prison ombudsman report, published on April 15, found that Woods had died six years into his sentence in hospital due to empyema of the left hemithorax, while a prisoner at HMP Wymott, in Leyland, aged 79.

In their report, the Ombudsman said: “The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Woods received at Wymott was of a good standard and was equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.

“She found that Mr Woods had the appropriate care plans in place and his ongoing health concerns were addressed accordingly.

“The clinical reviewer made one recommendation, which was not related to Mr Woods’ death but which the Head of Healthcare will want to address.”

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His family had written to the ombudsman prior to their report asking why he was admitted to hospital, and looked for reassurance that he had received all the medical care that he needed.

The report added: “The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Woods care.

“We did not identify any non-clinical learning and we make no recommendations.”

At an inquest held on 9 January 2026, the coroner concluded that Woods died of natural causes.

His family received a copy of the report, but did not make any comments.