Legal News

A prison watchdog has launched an inquiry into why a convicted paedophile in his eighties remained chained to a bed while undergoing chemotherapy and kidney dialysis.

The Mail online reports that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Nigel Newcomen has ordered the inquiry, even though no complaint has been made about the treatment of convicted killer Raymond Leslie Morris.

Morris was jailed for the rape and murder of seven-year-old Christine Darby, in 1967. A t the time, he was also suspected of killing Diane Tift, five, in 1965 and Margaret Reynolds, aged six, the same year. The bodies of the three girls were found close to each other on Cannock Chase in the West Midlands.

Morris, 84, earned the nickname the Monster of Cannock Chase and spent 45 years in jail until his death at HMP Preston in March this year.

He had attempted to win his freedom in 2012 on compassionate grounds, but an application for release he asked his solicitor to make on his behalf was never filed.

In 2010, he had launched an appeal and was granted judicial review relating to the murder of Christine Darby but the review was overturned.

In 2011, he also threatened to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg.

Morris developed leukaemia in 2011, as well as kidney failure. When he left his cell for treatment – which included regular kidney dialysis sessions – he was restrained while undergoing medical care.

He signed a disclaimer on 1 March refusing further active medical treatment and was transferred to the prison’s medical unit on 10 March, where died the next day.

Mr Newcomen says that during his treatment in 2013 and this year, Morris was handcuffed, placed in chains and was accompanied by two prison officers whenever he left his cell for treatment.

“The clinical reviewer concludes that the overall standard of clinical care the man received was equal to that he could have expected in the community,” Mr Newcomen writes in his report on Morris.

“I am concerned that he appears to have been restrained for hospital visits, including while undergoing dialysis – despite being elderly and frail and in very poor health.

“This is a matter I have raised with the prison before and the Governor needs to ensure that staff fully understand their legal obligation in relation to the use of restraints for seriously ill prisoners undergoing life-saving treatment.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are able to advise prisoners in custody on their rights – including access to healthcare and mental health services – and making claims against the Ministry of Justice for injuries sustained in unprovoked attacks or assaults in prison.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can also advise on appeals against convictions and sentences, application for release on compassionate grounds, Parole Board applications – and appeals using the Human Rights Act.

For expert legal advice on prisoners’ rights, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.