Double Attempted Murder Shakes UK Prisons
Heaton pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to trying to murder David Minto at HMP Wakefield, one of the UK’s toughest jails. Just last month, he also admitted attacking Andong Abong Ashu at HMP Full Sutton near York – a prison where he had previously served time.
Seeking the Harshest Punishment
Remarkably, Heaton’s barrister, David Godfrey, told the court his client wants the toughest sentence possible – a whole-life order. “He feels anxious about any other form of sentence,” said Mr Godfrey. Whole-life jail terms are rare, given only for the most serious crimes, with fewer than 80 inmates currently serving them in the UK.
Heaton’s Violent Past
Back in 2014, Heaton was handed a minimum of 21 years and six months for stabbing 51-year-old Keith Opray to death in Hull. The court heard Heaton is now held in isolation at Wakefield due to the danger he poses. For months, his only contact has been with prison staff. He is due for sentencing on 6 May. Judge Bayliss said firmly, “It’s going to be a life sentence. The issue will be the term of that sentence.”
Victims’ Backgrounds
David Minto, one of Heaton’s intended victims, masterminded the horrendous killing of Sasha Marsden, luring the teenager to her death with the false promise of a job. Sasha’s injuries were so brutal that she was only identifiable by DNA from her toothbrush. Andong Abong Ashu, attacked by Heaton at Full Sutton, was convicted in 2016 of multiple horrific sex crimes against a young girl in Hull, starting when she was just 11 years old. His convictions include:
- Four counts of rape
- Seven counts of sexual assault
