Prisoner to be sentenced after admitting trying to kill Blackpool murderer and rapist
He requested his sentence 'be as long as possible'.
A prisoner will be sentenced next month after admitting trying to kill Blackpool murderer and rapist David Minto at a prison dubbed 'Monster Mansion'.
Convicted murderer Duncan Heaton admitted the attempted murder of Minto at HMP Wakefield. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Andong Abong Ashu at HMP Full Sutton, near York, where he was previously locked up.
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At Leeds Crown Court, Heaton pleaded with Judge Bayliss to sentence him to a whole life sentence - meaning he would die in prison. His barrister said Heaton wanted his sentence 'to be as long as possible'. Heaton will be sentenced on May 6.
Sasha Marsden
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. On the day of her murder, Sasha had been dropped off at the Grafton House Hotel, 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 attempted to burn her dead body. Her murder made headlines around the world.
However, her name lives on in the name of Sasha's Law - which will give victims more time to challenge prison sentences. The law officially passed through Parliament earlier this month and Sasha's sister Katie Brett said now her sibling will be remembered forever.
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Under the law change, the time limit for victims and families to challenge prison sentences they believe are too lenient has been extended, with the time frame allowed to request a review lengthened to up to six months, replacing the current 28-day limit.
There will also be a statutory duty to inform victims and their families of this right. The reforms relate to the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which allows cases to be referred to the Attorney General for review by the Court of Appeal.