Former footballer jailed for sex offences found dead in cell

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – One of Bermuda’s leading former footballers, jailed for 11 years last month for a raft of historic sex offences against three young boys, has been found dead in his prison cell, police confirmed yesterday.

Wendell Baxter – commonly known by his nickname Woolly – received his sentence in Supreme Court after earlier admitting a string of indecent assaults on his victims back in the 1970s and 1980s.

The 59-year-old paedophile was found in an unresponsive state at Westgate Correctional Facility on Saturday evening and later pronounced dead, despite life-saving efforts, according to a spokesman for Bermuda Police Service.

“A police-led investigation continues regarding the circumstances of Mr. Baxter’s death,” the spokesman said, adding that BPS extended condolences to Baxter’s family.

Baxter led North Village to the triple crown of league, Friendship Trophy and FA Cup when the club dominated local football in the late 1970s and went on to become a popular and respected coach.

In March, Baxter pleaded guilty to a total of 18 separate charges of molesting three young boys.