A convicted sex offender who died in custody while receiving treatment for a number of serious medical conditions lost his life due to respiratory failure.

Sixty-seven-year-old James Richard Fargher from Peel passed away in Noble's Hospital last month, while serving a prison sentence at Jurby for carrying out seven indecent assaults.

As his inquest opened today (Monday), the court was told his condition deteriorated shortly after being admitted to hospital and it was later agreed to stop his treatment in the Intensive Care Unit.

It was also felt other factors such as obesity contributed to his death.

In expressing sympathy to his family and friends, coroner Alistair Montgomerie adjourned the inquest for further inquiries.