A convicted child sex offender who carried out a campaign of abuse against children over more than a decade has died in prison while serving a lengthy jail term.

Martyn Woods, who was 72 when he was sentenced, was jailed for 14 years for historic sexual offences against two children dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. He died in custody aged 79.

Historic abuse spanning more than a decade

Woods’ offending centred on the prolonged sexual abuse of a young girl over a 14‑year period, beginning when she was just four years old and continuing until she was 16. The abuse took place at addresses in Bolton, Radcliffe and Rawtenstall in Rossendale between 1962 and 1976.

In addition to the sustained abuse of the girl, Woods also sexually assaulted a 13‑year‑old boy in 1976 as the child lay in bed. The offences remained hidden for decades before finally being brought to light.

Victim’s courage exposed Woods’ crimes

It was not until 2017 that one of Woods’ victims found the strength to come forward and report what had happened. A police investigation was launched, and Woods was eventually charged with a series of historic child sex offences.

At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Woods pleaded guilty to 12 counts of sexually assaulting a child. He was described in court and by detectives as a “sexual predator” whose actions left his victims with long‑lasting emotional trauma.

Sentencing him to 14 years in prison, the judge said the seriousness and duration of the abuse meant there was no alternative to a substantial custodial term.

Death in custody

Woods was serving his sentence at HMP Wymott in Lancashire when he died in September 2024, aged 79. His death has been subject to the usual scrutiny applied to all deaths in custody, with the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman opening an investigation as is standard practice.

No criminal suspicion has been publicly indicated in relation to his death, which occurred before he could complete the full term of his sentence.

Lasting impact on survivors

Detectives involved in the case previously praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward after so many years, stressing that their evidence was crucial in ensuring Woods was finally held to account.

Officers said Woods’ offending had caused “severe emotional trauma” that his victims continue to live with, and urged other survivors of non‑recent abuse to report what has happened to them, no matter how much time has passed.

Support services remain available for anyone affected by sexual abuse, including specialist charities and dedicated police safeguarding teams.