Dangerous paedophile died whilst imprisoned

HE WAS SERVING AN INDEFINITE SENTENCE FOR A STRING OF HORRIFIC SEX OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

- By POPPY KENNEDY

ONE of Teesside’s most dangerous paedophiles has died behind bars.

John Sykes, 60, claimed to have abused up to 80 young boys.

He was serving an indefinite sentence of imprisonment for public protection - similar to life - for child sex offences.

Now a Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report has confirmed the paedophile died while behind bars at Holme House Prison.

The report, published online last week, states: “Mr John Sykes died from mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke like episodes (MELAS syndrome - a genetic condition primarily affecting the nervous system and muscles) on 31 August 2023, at HMP Holme House.”

As John Sykes was jailed for six years and nine months in 2014, a court heard that he confessed to another victim that he had attacked a boy in order to silence him.