A MAN died of cancer shortly after being jailed for driving a tanker full of kerosene into his estranged wife’s home.

An inquest has been held into the death of Hugh Billington, 52, who died in custody seven weeks after he was jailed for offences connected to the Wool tanker crash last January.

The former army musician received a seven-year prison term on April 30, 2012.

The jury inquest heard how Mr Billington was diagnosed with stomach cancer in May 2012 and was admitted to Joseph Weld Hospice on June 14 after ‘a rapid decline in health’.

He died in hospital seven days later.

The inquest heard how Mr Billington had refused chemotherapy treatment but did have blood transfusions.

Dr Jane Fowler, a GP at Dorchester Prison, told the inquest how Mr Billington appeared to have ‘no major physical’ problems when he was first remanded in custody on January 23 last year.

The prisoner was referred to the mental health team who noticed in April that something more serious was wrong.

Dr Fowler said Mr Billington struggled to eat and suffered with gastric pains which he remembered experiencing six months previously.

Dr Hugh Pelly, who was brought in to independently examine the circumstances around Mr Billington’s death, said the care provided was “exemplary and would have been the same if he was in the community.”

Coroner Sheriff Payne said: “Hugh Billington was diagnosed with gastric cancer and his health went downhill rapidly.”

A jury returned a verdict of natural causes.

He set fire to wife’s home

HUGH Billington was jailed after driving a fuel tanker into a house in Wool on January 20 last year.

The horror crash took place at a home he used to share with estranged wife Christine in Folly Lane.

Mrs Billington escaped through a window as Mr Billington then went around the house starting a number of fires. Mr Billington was arrested later that morning.

Later in court, he admitted charges of arson being reckless with intent as to whether life was endangered, dangerous driving, theft and assault.