Pervert faces death bed justice

05 February 2010

A JUDGE has pledged to sentence a terminally ill paedophile on his deathbed after he failed to attend court.

Motor neuron disease sufferer Keith Inwood, 64, is facing jail after admitting a string of internet child pornography charges.

But Inwood, of Park Court, Slewins Close, Hornchurch, turned away an ambulance instructed by police to ferry him to Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentencing on January 29.

Judge Timothy Lamb QC said he would don "full robes" and set up court in the bedroom of Inwood's seventh floor tower block flat in Hornchurch, Essex, if he refused to face the music.

Inwood's solicitor, Louise Weatherby, was called to give evidence, claiming her client had a "pallor of death" about him when she visited his home.

But Ms Weatherby - of Romford-based Paul Martin & Co solicitors - was unable to provide the court with any medical evidence to back her claim that he was too unwell to attend.

Judge Lamb said: "I believe it is an option for the court to go to Mr Inwood.

"If that's what's required, I will go to this block of flats in full robes and I will deal with the sentencing exercise there."

The court heard how Ms Weatherby had consulted bed-ridden Inwood earlier that day while Det Con Andy Ferne waited outside with an ambulance on standby.

Ms Weatherby said: "I am not an expert, your honour, but his condition has deteriorated. He had a pallor about him - death I think.

"I didn't want to be held responsible for Mr Inwood's demise in the ambulance."

Det Con Ferne told the court: "I arranged for an ambulance, which was available should he have wished to use it."

Inwood had journeyed with paramedics for his earlier appearances before Havering JPs, the crown court and an appointment with doctors.

"He appeared in the magistrates' court on November 20," said Judge Lamb.

"He travelled to Snaresbrook Crown Court on December 22 last year and he travelled to Queen's Hospital, Romford on the 13th."

Mr Rouse said Inwood was now too unwell to be moved - even by ambulance.

"He is in the advanced stages of that illness and his condition changes daily," said the barrister.

Judge Lamb adjourned the case until today, February 5, for Inwood's GP to assess his patient's fitness to come to court.

Inwood - who is to receive treatment at Saint Francis Hospice in Havering-atte-Bower - was snared by police in July last year.

Officers found Inwood had downloaded a series of depraved pictures of children on his home computer.

Inwood admits 17 counts of making indecent photographs of children.