A notorious child abuser, known for his heinous crimes against boys over a period of 22 years, passed away from leukemia while under restraint in a hospice bed, according to oversight authorities.

Harry Day, previously lauded for his work with children and even receiving an MBE in 2004, was sentenced to 13 years in prison back in 2009 for sexually abusing boys between 1973 and 1995. His despicable acts included grooming and assaulting victims aged 12 to 16, with some being lured into his bed while others awoke to him exploiting them.

Day, who operated the Young Citizens Guild since 1957, died at the age of 87 as an inmate at HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s investigation into his death revealed that he succumbed to leukemia in a hospice. The report criticized the Prison Service for restraining Day with handcuffs during his transfer to the hospital before his demise and continuing to restrain him in bed for an additional six days.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Day was convicted of numerous offenses, including gross indecency and incitement involving eight boys. He was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice by contacting a witness. Norfolk Police expressed that Day exploited his authority to betray the trust of many individuals, leading to his further incarceration in 2016 for additional assaults on minors.

Authorities believe that Day may have victimized multiple generations of youngsters who have yet to come forward. Judge Anthony Bate remarked on the gravity of Day’s crimes, highlighting the long-standing pattern of abuse that had only come to light in recent years.