A sexual predator who raped a teenage girl four decades ago has died in a Yorkshire prison, despite only having been jailed last year.
John Barkess was found guilty of rape and six counts of indecent assault in April 2024 and sentenced for 15 years and six months.
He sexually assaulted a teenage girl in the 1980s.
She reported the crime at the time but the case was not progressed.
However, after hearing Barkess had targeted other teenage girls, she came forward again in 2021 and the attack was investigated again.
Two further women came forward to report they had been abused by Barkess when they were teenagers, and the 84-year-old of Northumbria Place in Stanley, County Durham, was jailed following a lengthy investigation and trial at Durham Crown Court.
However, within a year of being sent to HMP Moorland, Barkess died last month. An investigation into his death is ongoing.
HMP Moorland is a Category C men’s prison and young offenders institution near Doncaster.
Upon being found guilty, Investigating Officer Laura White said: “I commend the bravery of all three women and thank them for trusting me and working with me on a journey that would have almost seemed impossible for them at the beginning.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to work with these women and get them the justice they so rightly deserve.
I urge anyone who has suffered sexual abuse to come forward and speak to police.
It is never too late – we believe you and we will do something about it.”