William Goad
{{Short description|Criminal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox criminal
|subject_name = William Goad
|image = William Goad.jpg
|alt = A photograph of William Goad following his arrest: he looks old with semi-balding hair line, bushy eyebrows, large bags under his eyes and some facial stubble. He has a white complexion with dark eyes and hair.
|caption = Goad following his arrest in 2003
|birth_date = {{birth date|1944|07|12|df=y}}{{cite news | url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/william-goad-plymouths-worst-ever-466755 | title=William Goad: Plymouth's worst ever paedophile and his legacy of torment | work=The Herald (Plymouth) | date=September 24, 2020 }}
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2012|10|20|1944|7|12|df=y}}
|death_place = HM Prison Albany, England
|nationality = British
|other_names =
|occupation = Businessman
|years_active =
|known_for = Child rapist
|criminal_charge = 14 counts of rape and 2 counts of indecent assault (October 2004)
|penalty = Life imprisonment
|conviction_status = Deceased
}}
William Goad (12 July 1944 – 20 October 2012) was a British millionaire businessman from Plymouth, Devon, who was imprisoned for life for child rape. He was called in various newspapers "Britain's most prolific paedophile",[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/4237355.stm A one-man crime wave?], 4 February 2005, Betsan Powys, BBC[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/13/dead-paedophile-william-goad-re-investigated Activities of dead paedophile William Goad to be re-investigated], 13 September 2013, Steven Morris, The Guardian with his assaults causing two of his victims to commit suicide. His abuse spanned 35 years with victims as young as eight.
Career
Goad opened Cornish Market World in 1991, which became at one point Britain's biggest indoor market with more than 300 stalls.[http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Paedophile-abused-hundreds-decades/story-20527178-detail/story.html Paedophile abused hundreds over four decades] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105729/http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Paedophile-abused-hundreds-decades/story-20527178-detail/story.html |date=22 December 2015 }}, January 30, 2014, Cornish Guardian
In the mid-1990s Goad launched Ben's Playworld, a children's play zone hosting a range of activities aimed at 2 to 12-year-olds, including mega-slides, giant tubes and a massive ball-pond. Goad's fortune was once estimated to be around £25 million.{{cite book|last1=Keenan|first1=Shy|last2=Payne|first2=Sara|title=Where Angels Fear|date=2009|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|location=London|isbn=978-0-340-93745-7|chapter=20}}
Investigation
One of his victims gave statements in the late 80s and early 90s, which led to his first arrest for indecent assault. Goad was put on probation. As a result of increasing statements from victims, a police investigation, Operation Emotion, had opened up. Goad became aware and changed his name to David Scott and moved to the nearby town of Ivybridge. In 1998 he fled to Thailand on a false passport, aware that police were on his tail following new allegations.
He was arrested in June 2003 after returning to UK on a false passport. A bank employee had tipped the police off, following his credit card use in the UK. He was arrested while travelling on a train with his financial advisor and business associate; he was immediately rushed to hospital following chest complaints. He required heart surgery before being fit to stand in court. During Goad's ill-health Operation Emotion II had been under way by police and had persuaded 17 victims to testify at trial against him.
Trial and sentence
Goad's trial took place at Plymouth Crown Court.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20027905|title=William Goad case: More victims of paedophile expected to come forward|date=22 October 2012|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=18 March 2023}} Initially he pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed he was sexually abused at a younger age. Eventually, following overwhelming evidence and comments from the judge to his legal defence, he pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault and 14 counts of rape.{{efn|At the time of conviction rape was classed as sexual assault}}[http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Britain-s-worst-paedophile-William-Goad-left-just/story-20493237-detail/story.html Britain's worst paedophile William Goad left just £50,000 – not enough to compensate his victims] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015005119/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Britain-s-worst-paedophile-William-Goad-left-just/story-20493237-detail/story.html |date=2014-10-15 }}, January 24, 2014, Plymouth Herald At his sentencing, Martin Meeke QC stated "It is believed there has been no single defendant with more victims than this man".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/3714640.stm|title=Paedophile receives life sentence|date=4 October 2004|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=10 January 2016}} The court described him as a “voracious, calculating, predatory and violent homosexual paedophile” who sexually abused young boys over a 30-year period. Goad was sent to prison for life in October 2004.
Death
References
{{notes}}
{{reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goad, William}}
Category:English people convicted of rape
Category:English people convicted of child sexual abuse
Category:English people convicted of indecent assault
Category:People from Ivybridge
Category:Businesspeople from Plymouth, Devon
Category:English LGBTQ businesspeople
Category:English people who died in prison custody
Category:Prisoners who died in England and Wales detention