Duncan Heaton, a 53-year-old Hull murderer currently serving a life sentence, has been handed an extra 13 years in prison following two stabbing attacks on sex offender inmates at HMP Full Sutton and HMP Wakefield.
The violent incidents occurred in May 2024 and several months later, raising serious concerns about prison safety and Heaton’s ongoing dangerousness within the UK prison system.
Heaton first attacked Andong Abong Ashu in a storeroom at HMP Full Sutton near York. After this assault, he was transferred to HMP Wakefield, where he attempted to kill fellow murderer David Minto using improvised weapons. Both attacks were deliberate and motivated by the victims’ convictions for sex offences.
At Leeds Crown Court, Mr Justice Cotter condemned Heaton’s actions as premeditated and driven by what he described as a “warped and misconceived belief in your moral superiority.” The judge labelled Heaton “an exceptionally dangerous man” who would likely carry out further attacks if given the opportunity.
Heaton was originally sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and six months for the 2014 murder of Keith Opray in Hull. The judge rejected a request to impose a whole-life order, instead extending Heaton’s minimum term by 13 years to cover the stabbing offences.
Despite his violent behaviour, Heaton had previously been assessed as low risk while at Full Sutton and was even trusted with kitchen knives. The judge informed Heaton that he would be in his seventies before parole could be considered, and that any decision on his release would remain uncertain and be at the discretion of the Parole Board.
Originally published by UKNIP.
