A paedophile branded a ‘monster’ when he was caged in 2015 has died six years into his 18-year jail sentence.

Clifford Godden, 78, was receiving treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, when he died on December 28 last year. His body was identified to doctors by staff from HMP Bullingdon, where he was an inmate.

Oxford Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday afternoon, when his inquest was opened, that the cause of Mr Godden’s death was ‘yet to be ascertained’. A post-mortem had already been carried out.

Senior coroner Darren Salter adjourned the case for a full inquest on June 28.

In 2015, Godden was found guilty by an Oxford jury of 20 sexual offences including four counts of rape.

Det Con Kelly Gilbert welcomed the 18 year jail sentence at the time, saying: “The victims suffered in silence for more than 40 years, but thankfully this monster is behind bars where he belongs.”

She added: “I am so pleased with the outcome of this trial because the victims are genuine and honest people who desperately wanted to be free of the feelings of shame and fear this man had put them through.

“We hope this encourages others to have the confidence to come forward in the future.”