A retired care home worker serving a 10-year prison sentence in Norwich died from natural causes, an inquest heard yesterday.

Married man Edgar West, 79, of Leiston, was sentenced for extremely serious offences on January 5, 2010 and was cared for in L wing until he was pronounced dead at 1.40pm on March 24, 2011.

Norfolk coroner William Armstrong said Mr West had arrived at HMP Norwich with on-going medical conditions and in June 2010 was re-diagnosed with cancer of the rectum.

Heather Symonds, a nurse worker at the prison, said he 'seemed comfortable' when he was last checked by her at 1.10pm.

The jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes.