Blackpool murderer David Minto at 'greater risk' of violent attack at Monster Mansion, says prison report

Sex offenders at a top security prison dubbed “Monster Mansion” like Blackpool killer rapist David Minto are at greater risk of attack, a report has revealed.

Minto was sentenced to life, with a minimum of 35 years, for the brutal rape and murder of Sasha Marsden, who was just 16 and studying childcare.

Last month, a convicted murderer who had a “warped sense of moral superiority” and targeted sex offenders was convicted of trying to murder Minto at Wakefield Prison.

Now a report by HMP Inspectorate of Prisons has revealed Minto and other sex offenders and paedophiles at the notorious prison are more at risk than ever before.

The inspection, published this month, revealed more non-sex offenders, often violent and young, has put older prisoners serving long sentences for sex crimes at more risk of attack.

The latest report said: “The infrastructure was deteriorating and the population was changing, with more younger prisoners arriving, and fewer being convicted of sexual offences.

“Staff shortages had led to restricted regimes and prisoners spending longer periods locked in their cells.

“Violence had increased sharply and many prisoners felt unsafe, with no clear strategy in place to address this.”

In his report , Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said there had been a number of violent attacks and three murders at the top security prison since its previous report in 2025.

He said: “ There had been an increase in levels of violence, and many prisoners told us that they felt unsafe.”

As a result of the violence - including the killing of paedophile rock band frontman Ian Watkins, prisoners were confined to their cells for much of the day and opportunities for work and recreation were limited.

Duncan Heaton , 53, was already serving a life sentence with a minimum term of more than 21 years for the murder of a man in Hull when he attacked Minto with a makeshift weapon.

He had been moved to Wakefield after attempting to kill a paedophile health worker in HMP Full Sutton.

Heaton was then moved to HMP Wakefield, where he tried to kill Minto in October last year with a makeshift weapon.

Another 13 years were added to the minimum term he must serve until he is considered for release.

Mr Justice Cotter said he was satisfied that the motivation for the attacks was because the victims were sex offenders, telling the defendant he appeared to have a "warped and misconceived belief in your moral superiority".

Heaton was already serving life with a minimum of 21 years and six months for the murder of Keith Opray in Hull in 2014.

The judge said Heaton had already served 11 years and 10 months of the original sentence.

The judge said the defendant will be in his 70s before he can be considered for release, and added: "Whether you are ever safe to be released, well that will be a matter for the Parole Board ."

Wakefield Prison which houses some of the UK's worst criminals is nicknamed 'Monster Mansion'.

Minto was sentenced to life, with a minimum of 35 years, for the brutal rape and murder of Sasha.

On the day of her murder, Sasha had been dropped off at the Grafton House Hotel in Blackpool, where Minto worked as a caretaker, believing she was there for a job interview.

Her body was later found in a South Shore alley. She had been stabbed 58 times and sexually assaulted. Evidence showed Minto had tried to burn her dead body.

However, her name lives on in Sasha's Law - which will give the victims of crime more time to challenge prison sentences.

The law passed through Parliament last month and Sasha's sister, Katie Brett, said now her sibling will be remembered forever.