Killer wants whole-life sentence for jail attacks

A convicted murderer has requested he be given a whole-life sentence after admitting trying to kill a fellow inmate at one of the UK's top high-security prisons.

Appearing at Leeds Crown Court earlier, Duncan Heaton, 53, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of David Minto at HMP Wakefield.

Last month, Heaton also admitted attempting to murder Andong Abong Ashu at HMP Full Sutton, near York, where he previously served time.

There are currently fewer than 80 people in UK prisons serving a whole-life sentence, which is reserved for the gravest of crimes.

Heaton's barrister, David Godfrey told the court his client wanted his sentence to be "as long as possible – a whole-life order".

Mr Godfrey added: "He feels anxious about any other form of sentence."

Heaton was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years and six months in 2014 for stabbing 51-year-old Keith Opray to death in the Bransholme area of Hull in 2014.

Heaton admitted trying to kill convicted murderer Minto in October last year and Abong Ashu in May 2024.

The court was told the defendant was currently held apart from other prisoners at Wakefield due to the risk he posed - and for months his only contact had been with prison staff.

He is due to be sentenced on 6 May.

Judge Bayliss said: "It's going to be a life sentence. The issue will be the term of that sentence."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.