A paedophile due to be sentenced tomorrow for historic sex offences against young boys has died of cancer overnight in Waikato Hospital.
Douglas Peters, 68, had pleaded guilty to 10 indecency charges against five boys between the ages of 5 to 15, between 1978 and 1987.
The bulk of the offending took place at his Owairaka home, in his car, or at locations connected to the various sporting activities he participated in around Mt Albert, Western Springs, Avondale and Pt Chevalier in Auckland.
"It may be that there are more victims out there and by coming forward to police, whilst we won't be able to prosecute, we can offer access to services that may help them,'' said Detective Grainne Scott of the Henderson adult sexual assault team.
Mr Scott praised the ``strength and courage'' of the men who had already come forward to police to report Peters.