An alleged paedophile has been called a "coward" after he took his own life the day before he was due to stand trial.

Patrick Driver was found dead by prison staff at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey on Sunday, October 5.

Now, the family of one of the accusers have shared their anger at not getting their day in court.

The 69-year-old had denied 19 sex offence charges against 10 victims, which included 14 counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of indecent assault on a male, attempted rape of a child under 13, and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was first arrested last year, but his trial was hit with several delays.

After entering a not guilty plea, the trial date was abandoned when further charges were added.

There were then further issues, as Serco was unable to have disabled defendants in the cells at Maidstone Crown Court and he couldn't be helped up the court stairs with his Zimmer frame. The case was transferred to Reading Crown Court to be heard on October 6, the day after he was found dead.

One woman, whose family member reported being abused as a seven-year-old, said: "The last year has been hell for us.

"Every time Driver was meant to appear in court, he managed to get out of it.

"Frustratingly, he's played the system for a year-and-a-half and then done this before his trial."

The family member lived on the same caravan site as Driver on the Isle of Sheppey.

Speaking of when the accusations came to light, the relative said: "I was so angry. I wanted to kill him.

"But I felt sick when I found out he had died. I just thought it had been a massive waste of the police's time and taxpayers' money.

"Those boys are scarred for life now and don't have justice.

"They've been brave coming forward and wanted to face him in court, but he's taken the coward's way out.

On Monday, area coroner Sarah Clarke opened an inquest into Driver's death.

It revealed that the prisoner lived at Dawes Street in Gillingham and was a retired nurse born on May 11, 1956, in Bredhurst.

Driver died at HMP Elmley, where he was on remand waiting for trial, and was formally identified by the police.

Ms Clarke said: "He had single cell occupancy at the prison and was checked by staff on the evening of October 4.

"HMP staff then checked on him during the early morning and found him unresponsive.

"Paramedics attended, and at 5.34am he was pronounced dead."

The cause of death was given as hanging.

Driver worked on the children's ward at West Hill Hospital in Dartford for several years. It closed in 2000.

A spokesman for the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust confirmed he didn't work for them at the time of his arrest.

The full inquest has been adjourned until March 3, at Oakwood House in Maidstone.