A CORONER has criticised prison bosses after a man jailed for driving while disqualified was killed by a Satanist now listed as one of Britain's 12 most dangerous prisoners.
Clement McNally was already serving a life sentence for murder when he strangled dad-of-one Anthony Hesketh, from Worsley, at Strangeways, Manchester, in 2003. He admitted mansalughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility in 2004 and given a second life term.
But an inquest jury said bosses at the prison failed to implement national risk assessment policies when McNally was admitted to prison.
These included not carrying out a new Cell Risk Safety Assessment to decide whether an inmate was dangerous to other prisoners.
Coroner Nigel Meadows, who recorded a narrative verdict, said that the prison had learnt its lesson from his death six years ago.
He said: "There has been a change of attitude. Steps have been taken to put matters right and we hope not to see this in Manchester again."
Anthony's family agreed with the verdict bit but criticised events that led up to his murder.
His sister Dawn Hopwood, from Bolton, said: "I am very angry; I thought he was safe in prison with all those guards around him. Not doing their jobs has led to my brother being killed. There is no way my brother should have been put with someone like that and now I will never get him back.
"The only good that can come out of this is if another family does not have to go through what we have but I don't think they will ever learn."
A spokesman for law firm Pannone said: "We will now be pursuing an action for compensation for the family of Anthony Hesketh and a declaration under the Human Rights Act, that his human rights were breached."
Anthony, who was serving a four-month sentence for driving while disqualified, was found dead on the floor of the cell he shared with McNally. A T-shirt ligature was around his neck. McNally had attacked him from behind while he was rolling a cigarette.
The jury also found that authorities at the institution 'did not recognise or note the deterioration in mental state' of McNally or recognise his 'growing interest in Satanism'.
McNally, 33, from Ashton under Lyne, told the inquest that he killed Anthony because he was 'Satan's hands and eyes' and had 'worshipped the devil' for two years.
He had also drawn Satanic symbols including a pentagram and an inverted cross in his cell.
The jury cited 'a complete lack of planning on the part of governors' at the prison, in considering whether someone with a short sentence should be kept with a 'lifer'. They also criticised training and communication procedures employed at the prison.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Our prisons are no longer safe places to stay! What is the government doing about it? Putting up the TV license fee!
prisoners should be locked in single cells and only let out to be released after all do they let animals in the zoo out of their cages to have a walk round. While i feel sorry for this mans family if he didnt commit a crime no matter how small maybe he would still be alive today.
"if you was innocent you wouldnt be inside, salford"
Pardon? Are you saying that driving while disqualified justifies being locked up in prison with a psychopathic killer?
God help you if appalling grammar, punctuation and spelling ever attract a custodial sentence!
if you was innocent you wouldnt be inside, salford says: "prisoners should be locked in single cells and only let out to be released after all do they let animals in the zoo out of their cages to have a walk round. While i feel sorry for this mans family if he didnt commit a crime no matter how small maybe he would still be alive today."
I actually find this comment both offensive and inappropriate if only for it's utter stupidity. It may be one of the most insensitve comments I have ever read on here. The poster is clearly an imbecile of the highest order. I wonder would this tool feel the same way if his/her child had been given a death sentence for driving while disqualified. Sickening and you should be ashamed of the hurt you may well have caused this mans family and friends.
"if you was innocent you wouldnt be inside"
Tell that to Stefan Kiszco or Birmingham six plus countless more all locked up for life for being innocent!!!
why do ALL murderers admitted mansalughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility wot a load of bull crap just like the inquest 6yr to so called sort it out lots of thing just brushed under the carpet
if tony was a judge's or police officer's son/bro am dam sure he still be here as he wont of been in a cell with this mad man. my bro jailed for driving while disqualified killed by a Satanist now listed as one of Britain's 12 most dangerous prisoners. how can you justifie mixing these kinda people.
R.I.P bro
kev hesketh
Im angry towards the comment off the person from salford if you are innocent you wouldnt be inside how many mistakes have been made on innocent people if my brother had commited a sexual offence then he would have been on protection and thats makes me more angry as because my brother drove his car when disqualified its cost him his life i think who ever you are from salford should keep your opinions to yourself as you dont no anything about my dear brother R.I.P. Tony and God Bless xxx
Dawn Hopwood Bolton
Im sad youve had to read that stupid comment.These sort of comments come up on all sorts of tragic cases.Try not to take it personally.Some people,completely untouched by these sort of stories have no empathy for others who have lived through a nightmare like this.Thankfully the coroner has done his job well and you are satisfied with the verdict.As you say it will hopefully prevent other families having to go through anything like this.
I fist read this story a couple of days ago and I cannot stop thinking about it. How on earth does this happen? Who is in charge? Who is thinking things through? Absolutely unbelievable. The guards didn't know...give me a break. Surely the cells are not off limites to the guards...they must have seen the satanic symbols and pentagram and an inverted cross. No red flags there! I am sure Anthony himself must have said something too. This guy needed to be kept away from everybody else. I mean I thought murders were kept away from the general population anyway. Who is accountable? Grrrrrrrrrrrr
i think this is the most horrific story i have ever had to read, its beggars belief that someone just for a stupid driving offence can be placed in a cell with a complete lunatic, and no don't tell me that the authorities didn't know?, they do this all the time, you hear all the time what goes on in prisons, yet its taboo, whos going to believe you? the prisons are run by the prisoners and if they want to cause you harm,then they will!
seems like all these governing bodies are wide open to abuse.
poor man rest in peace.
chriso manchester