A PREDATORY paedophile who raped and molested two young boys has died behind bars.

Alan Wolten, of Widnes, died in hospital of oesophageal cancer in November last year, aged 86 and while a prisoner at HMP Liverpool.

An independent investigation is now complete by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, which aims to make a significant contribution to safer, fairer custody.

On April 25, 2018, Wolten was sentenced to 14 years in HMP Liverpool for sexual offences, with his dementia diagnosis noted during his initial health screen.

He ‘systematically abused’ one teenage victim by raping him while the defendant was decades his senior.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he hit the terrified child with a belt and repeatedly forced him to perform sickening sex acts.

The pensioner also targeted a second boy by touching him inappropriately – but denied any wrongdoing and was convicted following a trial of rape and seven counts of indecent assault.

The judge who jailed him told him it was likely he would die in prison.

A year later in April 2019, Wolten was diagnosed with lung cancer while in hospital and declined chemotherapy.

By November, he opted against an operation for his lung tumour but agreed to radiotherapy.

However, by October 10, 2023, healthcare staff agreed that Wolten should be sent to A&E because of his general deterioration, vomiting and risk of dehydration.

He was not restrained during this escort because he was frail and could not walk well.

Hospital workers said that Wolten was very unwell and may not survive, with a palliative care plan put in place for him including a ‘do not resuscitate’ instruction.

An application for an early prison release on compassionate grounds was made, but he passed away before it could be finalised.

At approximately 1.30am on November 10, Wolten died in hospital, with a post-mortem examination concluding he died of oesophageal cancer.

An inquest held in November 2023 saw a coroner reach a conclusion of death by natural causes.

In a section entitled ‘findings’, the report states that the in relation to falls management and prevention was ‘not in line with national guidelines’.

The clinical reviewer also found that despite Wolten’s age, frailty and cancer diagnosis, there was no evidence that a discussion had taken place in relation to his advance care planning.

A recommendation was made for the prison’s head of healthcare to ensure that end-of-life care planning is held with terminally ill prisoners.