Child rapist Arthur Warwick found dead in HMP Frankland cell

Arthur Warwick from Penrith was given a life sentence in 2016, after being found guilty of 29 child sex offences against four children.

They included five child rapes and a series of sexual assaults. He told one of his victims that he would stop the abuse provided the child found another boy to take his place.

Arthur Warwick. (Image: Police photo)

Warwick was arrested when he travelled to Whitehaven, believing he was due to meet a 13-year-old boy he had befriended online – but the contact was an undercover police officer.

At his home, 20 indecent images of children were found on his computer equipment. A third of these were classed in category A – the most serious.

An inquest into his death was opened at Crook Coroners’ Court yesterday (January 29) and heard he died from heart disease at Frankland Prison, in Durham.

Coroners’ officer Jacqueline Orpen told the hearing: “I understand the circumstances to be that Mr Warwick was found deceased in his cell.

HMP Frankland. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

“A post-mortem examination at Newcastle RVI mortuary gave a provisional cause of death as heart disease.”

The hearing was then adjourned until June 2.

Speaking at the time Warwick was sentenced, Detective Chief Inspector David Pattinson highlighted the bravery of the victims.

He said: “Without their help and trust in the police, Warwick would be free to continue with his despicable lifestyle, sexually abusing young children.

“I hope that the sentencing can bring them some form of closure and they can have some satisfaction knowing they have helped bring him to justice and that Cumbria is a safer place with such a monster behind bars.  

“I also hope that this encourages anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward and report it to police. A victim can be reassured that their case will be investigated professionally and sensitively.”