A paedophile ice cream seller who groomed and attacked four young girls in Newham has died in prison. 

A prison and probation ombudsman report published this month has revealed that David Budd died of lung cancer on November 21 last year while a prisoner at HMP Hollesley Bay, Suffolk.

The 77-year-old was jailed for eight years and four months in 2018 after victims came forward four decades after the abuse. 

A court heard that Budd targeted young girls in the 1970s when he sold ice creams in Newham. 

Budd gained their trust before sexually assaulting them. 

A victim came forward in 2017 and detectives later identified three other girls who had been sexually assaulted by him. 

He later pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault and four charges of indecency with a child. 

The ombudsman report stated that Budd was diagnosed with lung cancer on November 20 last year. 

His condition rapidly deteriorated and he died the following day. 

In July an inquest concluded that Budd died of natural causes.