West Berkshire rapist dies in jail

As previously reported on Newburytoday, David Ward, aged 45, formerly of Meadow Road, Theale, was jailed at Reading Crown Court in January for eight counts of rape and two of sexual assault on a teenage girl.
The Prison Service confirmed this week that Ward, who abused his victim from 2007 to 2010 when she was aged between 13 and 16, died at Bullingdon Prison in Bicester, Oxfordshire, on Tuesday August 21, just seven months into his 18-year prison sentence.
Spokeswoman for the Prison Service, Sofia Kannas said: "HMP Bullingdon prisoner David Ward was found collapsed on the landing at approximately 3pm on Tuesday 21 August.
"Staff commenced CPR and he was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead at approximately 5.30pm.
"As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."
Ward had unsuccessfully appealed against his sentence in July.