Robert Maudsley, the notorious serial killer known as ‘Hannibal the Cannibal,’ has gone on a hunger strike after prison guards confiscated his PlayStation, TV, and other personal possessions.
Maudsley, 71, who has spent an incredible 46 years in solitary confinement, is refusing to eat until his prized belongings – including books, a music system, and his beloved gaming console – are returned to him.
The infamous inmate has been kept in a locked glass cell in Wakefield Prison, West Yorkshire, since 1983, after he went on a killing spree behind bars.
In a rare conversation with his family, Maudsley’s brother, Paul, 74, revealed the prison’s actions were sparked by a raid on the facility following reports that a gun had been smuggled into the jail.
‘Bob has been refusing food since last Friday, and we’re very worried about him,’ Paul told the Mirror.
‘He sounded angry and anxious when he called me – he said, ‘I’m going on hunger strike, so don’t be surprised if this is the last time I call you.’
‘He used to have access to a phone in his cell, but he hasn’t called us since. We think they’ve taken it away. At 71, we’re really concerned about how long he can survive without food.’
The hunger strike follows an ‘operational exercise’ carried out at Wakefield on February 26, when inmates were removed from their cells for thorough searches.
Retired prison officer Neil Samworth has revealed why he thinks Maudsley (pictured) should no longer be kept in solitary confinement
HMP Wakefield (pictured) holds some of Britain’s most dangerous killers and notorious inmates
Maudsley (pictured) was last pictured more than 40 years ago for a documentary on his life in prison
Afterward, Maudsley discovered that his possessions had been removed – including his PlayStation, books, and music system, which he claims are essential for his mental well-being.
‘He’s been left with nothing,’ Paul said. ‘It’s like he’s back to how he was ten years ago when he had nothing to stimulate him.
‘It’s dangerous. He’s just been sitting there, doing nothing, and he could go mad again. His TV, books, and games – they keep him sane. It’s not fair to take them away without any explanation. We can’t get through to anyone, and we’re deeply concerned.’
Nicknamed ‘Hannibal the Cannibal,’ Maudsley holds the record for the longest-serving British prisoner in solitary confinement.
His 18ft by 15ft glass cell is his only world, where he is kept isolated for 23 hours a day.
The infamous killer was originally incarcerated in 1974 for the murder of child abuser John Farrell, 30, but during his time in prison, he went on to kill three other men he believed were paedophiles and rapists, leading to his current solitary confinement.
Despite his violent past, Maudsley appears to have little interest in being moved from his solitary confinement, his brother said.
Paul explained: ‘Bob wouldn’t want to leave. He prefers being on his own. He just likes the solitude. He’s used to it now. The only thing that bothers him is having his things taken away. That’s what’s really upset him.’
The Ministry of Justice declined to comment.
Maudsley’s (pictured) brother Paul said he was ‘happy’ living in his glass cell underneath HMP Wakefield
Maudsley is kept separated from other inmates inside Wakefield (pictured) after he killed three people while serving a sentence for murder
At HMP Wakefield last week, paedophile murderer Roy Whiting, 65, was stabbed by another prisoner
Maudsley, seen as a child, is serving four life sentences in his glass cell which measures 18ft by 14ft
Maudsley’s lengthy confinement and notorious status have made him one of Britain’s most infamous criminals.
His chilling nickname, ‘Hannibal the Cannibal,’ stemmed from false reports claiming he ate one of his victims’ brains, a story that has remained part of his twisted legend.
In truth, Maudsley has never eaten human flesh, but the nickname stuck, cementing his place in British criminal history.
A once-promising youth from Toxteth, Liverpool, Maudsley’s life descended into violence after years of physical and sexual abuse in care homes and at home.
After committing his first murder at the age of 21, Maudsley was sent to Broadmoor Hospital for the criminally insane.
It was there, in 1977, that he began his killing spree, murdering fellow inmates he believed to be paedophiles.
Maudsley’s actions and his continued confinement have drawn both condemnation and sympathy over the years.
While his brutal murders were undeniably horrific, some have questioned whether his current treatment is humane.
Neil Samworth, a veteran prison officer, told MailOnline, ‘I think it’s wrong the way he’s been treated. He’s in total isolation, and it’s not fair. He represents no real danger now – he’s an old man. He should be allowed to live out his days in a more humane manner.’
However, Maudsley remains unrepentant, his brother Kevin revealing that Robert has always viewed his victims as deserving of their fates.
‘He won’t apologise for what he did. He believes they were all paedophiles, so in his mind, he was justified,’ Kevin explained.
