A PENSIONER behind bars for subjecting his stepchildren to serious beatings decades ago could be freed from jail as he has just months to live.

William Taylor, aged 75, of Shackleton Grove, Johnson Fold, was caged for two years and three months at Bolton Crown Court on May 1, after admitting two counts of child cruelty.

But, on the day he was jailed, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and his lawyers are now asking top judges to show 'mercy' so he can spend his last days at home.

Taylor was stepfather to Peter and Vanda Wilkins, now in their 50s, and regularly assaulted them in the 1960s and 1970s - when they were aged between four and 16.

Mr Wilkins remembered being punched, kicked in the throat and poked in the eye, while his sister recalled Taylor throwing a chair at her, punching her and using a belt to hit her with.

London's Criminal Appeal Court heard a doctor at the Royal Bolton Hospital outlined Taylor's current medical condition in July, saying he was diagnosed with cancer and only palliative care was appropriate.

The pensioner also suffers from type-two diabetes and obesity, Mr Justice Sweeney told London's Appeal Court.

He is currently able to feed himself, use the toilet and walk short distances, but he has only three to six months to live and he is expected to become 'increasingly incapacitated' as his condition worsens, the court heard.

Mr Justice Sweeney, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Picken, said: "The court is being asked to demonstrate mercy to Taylor in the light of his medical conditions."

The judge adjourned Taylor's case to next month, saying it would be inappropriate to consider the appeal without crown lawyers and Secretary of State for Justice, Michael Gove, first being given an opportunity to respond to the medical evidence.

No date has yet been fixed for the adjourned hearing.