Paedophile who tortured and raped children is found dead in cell before sentencing

A paedophile who tortured, raped and starved children with his partner has been found dead in his prison cell weeks before being sentenced.

Paedophile Andrew Hadwin and his partner Cheryl Pickles locked children in cupboards and made them take boiling hot showers and baths. Picture: Supplied

A paedophile who tortured, raped and starved children with his partner has been found dead in jail.

Andrew Hadwin, 39, and Cheryl Pickles, 35, forced the starving kids to scavenge for food in supermarket bins, locked them in cupboards and made them hold stress positions and take boiling hot showers and baths, The Sunreports.

Hadwin was awaiting sentencing when his body was discovered in his cell at HMP Durham in the UK on February 2, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Paedophile Andrew Hadwin has been found dead in his jail cell. Picture: Supplied

Hadwin and his partner Cheryl Pickles locked children in cupboards and made them take boiling hot showers and baths. Picture: Supplied

“HMP Durham prisoner Andrew Hadwin died on 2 February,” The Ministry of Justice said in a statement.

“As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

Hadwin was last month found guilty of three counts of rape, seven counts of neglect, and one count of perverting the course of justice but cleared of sexual activity with a child.

The rape relates to the historical abuse of another child, which happened when she was little.

His partner Pickles was convicted of five counts of child cruelty and one of perverting the course of justice.

She was found not guilty of sexual activity with a child.

The evil pair was due to be sentenced on April 28.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the couple starved the children so badly they endured 6km walks just to scavenge from bins.

One terrified child was held over a motorway bridge during a horrific campaign of torture.

Hadwin and Pickles also forced the children to watch while standing in stress positions as they ate takeaway meals in front of them.

They dunked their heads underwater and made the children take scalding hot baths and showers.

As a result of the vile abuse, the kids suffered painful injuries, with one child left with life-limiting injuries.

The sickening crimes finally came to an end in 2018 when one of the brave children told an adult what was happening.

Paedophile Andrew Hadwin and his partner Cheryl Pickles were due to be sentenced in April. Picture: Supplied.

When the abuse was finally uncovered, the evil couple hatched a sick plot to hide their tracks.

Pickles and Hadwin wrote fake letters from the children saying: “We are sorry, we told lies”.

A probe was launched by Durham Police, with Hadwin and Pickles denying any responsibility.

But a handwriting expert debunked the fake notes and found they had actually been written in a notebook found at the couple’s home.

The pair was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

Detective Constable Kat Pudney, of Durham Constabulary’s Safeguarding Unit, said: “This was an extremely complex and distressing investigation for all involved, the likes of which I have never encountered during my time as a police officer.

“Hadwin and Pickles subjected several vulnerable children to multiple forms of abuse, robbing them of their childhood, and undoubtedly leaving them with psychological wounds which they may never truly recover from.

“I want to highlight how incredibly brave these children have been throughout this lengthy investigation – their strength to stand up to their abusers must be commended.

“Hadwin and Pickles have lied to police and other professionals, and attempted to blame others throughout this investigation, in an attempt to divert the attention away from themselves.

“I am delighted that the jury have returned these verdicts, ultimately protecting further children from falling victim to their manipulative and abhorrent behaviour. “I hope this result will allow the children to close this chapter of their lives and start their healing journey.”

This article was originally published by The Sun and has been reproduced with permission.