© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – Predator Awareness

A former boarding school teacher who was jailed for a series of sexual offences against pupils has died after choking on food in prison, an inquest has heard.

John McKno, 74, died at HMP Norwich on 29 September after choking on his breakfast. Norfolk Coroners’ Court was told he suffered cardiac failure following the incident. A jury concluded that his death was the result of misadventure.

McKno had been serving a 14-year sentence after admitting a string of offences committed during the 1970s and 1980s at boarding schools in Suffolk, Devon and Worcestershire. In 2016 he pleaded guilty to charges including gross indecency, indecent assault and serious sexual assault involving five former pupils.

Four of the victims were boys under the age of 16 at the time of the abuse, and one was under 14. The offences took place while McKno was employed at Beam College in Great Torrington, St Michael’s College in Tenbury Wells, and Kesgrave Hall School near Ipswich.

During previous court proceedings, one former pupil described living in fear while at school, saying he slept with “one eye open” because of the abuse he experienced.

The inquest heard that McKno had a number of pre-existing health conditions. On the morning of his death, he choked while eating breakfast on the prison wing. Despite efforts by staff, he went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

The jury determined that there was no evidence of intent to harm himself and concluded that his death was accidental.