Sentencing of prisoner who admitted trying to kill Blackpool murderer and rapist David Minto delayed
The attack took place at the high security prison nicknamed 'Monster Mansion'.
The sentencing of a prisoner who admitted trying to kill Blackpool murderer and rapist David Minto has been delayed.
Convicted killer Duncan Heaton admitted the attempted murder of Minto at HMP Wakefield at an earlier hearing. He was due to be sentenced on Wednesday (May 6) by Judge Bayliss at Leeds Crown Court, however he will have to wait until Tuesday May 12) to learn his fate.
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Heaton also pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Andong Abong Ashu at HMP Full Sutton, near York, where he was previously locked up. In April, Heaton pleaded with the judge 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'.
He attacked Minto in the high security prison nicknamed 'Monster Mansion'. Earlier this year pervert rock star Ian Watkins was killed at the facility which houses the UK's worst criminals. Heaton was serving a life sentence, with a minimum term of 21 years, for the brutal stabbing of a 'vulnerable' disabled man to feed his drug addiction.
Fifty one-year-old Keith Opray was found with a blood stained pillow over his face at his home in Bransholme, Hull, in 2014. Hull Crown Court was told Mr Opray had 'bravely' tried to defend himself against Heaton's frenzied attack. He was stabbed 43 times to his head, neck, chest, stomach and back.
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.