A PAEDOPHILE maths teacher who sexually abused schoolboys choked to death on his prison breakfast, an inquest has heard.

John McKno, 74, was jailed in 2016 for abusing five pupils at boarding schools in Suffolk, Devon and Worcestershire in the 1970s and 1980s.

Four of his victims were aged under 16, and one was under 14.

Boys targeted by the predator told a court they slept in fear "with one eye open," the BBC reports.

The ex teacher worked at three schools in Devon, Tenbury Wells and Ipswich.

All have since closed.

Today, a coroner heard he died at Norwich Prison on September 29 last year after a choking fit led to heart failure.

McKno, who had a number of health conditions, was jailed for 14 years after admitting gross indecency, indecent assault and serious sexual assaults.

A trial had been due to begin when he pleaded guilty to nine counts.

One victim, who was 52 when McKno pleaded guilty, said: "First of all it was a scary school, because I was leaving my parents [70 miles away], but it was a nice school and we slept four to a bedroom.

"In the beginning McKno came across as a very nice teacher, a fair teacher and I did well in maths.

I hope he gets a life sentence and rots there.

"I can't go into too much detail but I was abused, which ruined my childhood and my trust of teachers, although it only happened once.

"I was scared, kept myself to myself and shut my mouth.

"It hasn't affected my [adult] relationships because it's something I've always buried, but yes, it's been in my head and it will never leave my head.

"I don't know about the other four victims, but his guilty plea was a life-send.

"I hope he gets a life sentence and rots there.

"It's not anger, it's just relief more than anything. I know I can close the box and sleep well at night.

"I haven't seen him for 35 years, but I'll see him at his sentencing with a smile, hopefully."

The coroner recorded McKno, of Alby in Norfolk, died through misadventure.

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