20 January 2023 , 18:15
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One of Britain's most dangerous serial killers Robert Maudsley has been in solitary confinement in a glass cell since 1979.
He is is Britain's longest-serving prisoner, having been caged for 49 years for the murder of four men in the 1970s and is set to die in an underground glass box after an appeal to live alongside other prisoners was rejected.
He carried out his own wave of vigilante justice, even killing three of his victims while in prison. Despite the confinement, the serial killer said that he was "happy and content in solitary" and warned that he will kill again if ever released.
He's been locked in his own cell for so long that he's set the world record for the most time in solitary confinement, having spent a total of 16,400 days alone.
He set a record while behind bars, for the longest time spent in solitary confinement (BBC)Do you think solitary confinement is a fitting punishment? Let us know in the comments...
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In a hard-hitting documentary 'HMP Wakefield: Evil Behind Bars', Maudsley's nephew Gavin reveals how his softly spoken, well-read uncle is content to be kept in solitary confinement locked away from the rest of the world.
The serial killer says how he is "happy and content in solitary" and warned that he will kill again if ever released.
Previously known as 'Hannibal the Cannibal,' Maudsley was once rumoured to have eaten part of the brain of one of his victims in prison.
While there is not thought to be any truth to the rumour, he has earnt himself a reputation as one of Britain's most dangerous criminals.
Maudsley, 68, was locked up for the murder of John Farrell, age 30, in March 1974.
Whilst serving a life sentence, he then embarked on a sickening wave of vigilante violence murdering three men.
Speaking previously, Maudsley said that he was quite content in solitary confinement (Unknown)- David Francis, a convicted child molester
- Salney Darwood, who was serving life for the manslaughter of his wife Blanche
- William Roberts, who was serving seven years for the sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl.
In a letter to his nephew, Gavin, aged 40 and from Liverpool but now living in London, the serial killer says how he is happy and content in solitary confinement and warned that he will kill again if ever released.
The caged killer has been repeatedly turned down for requests to spend time with other human beings and has to live out his days in a cell especially built for him.
Measuring 18 foot by 15 foot, the cell is constructed from bullet proof perspex and has compressed cardboard furniture.
He spends 23 hours of each day in the cell, sleeping on a concrete slab and using a toilet and sink which are bolted to the floor.
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Maudsley, known as 'Uncle Bob', from Toxteth, Liverpool, committed his first murder in 1974, aged just 21.
Wakefield Prison, where Maudsley is locked up (PA)After running away to London, Maudsley started working as a male prostitute. He then brutally murdered paedophile John Farrell in Wood Green London, after he showed pictures of children he had sexually abused.
Following the slaying, he handed himself in to police and immediately confessed his crime.
He was deemed unfit to stand trial and was sent to Broadmoor Hospital, home to some of Britain's most violent inmates.
At first, he was a model prisoner and stayed out of trouble, but in 1977 he and fellow prisoner David Cheeseman locked themselves in a cell with child molester David Francis in 1977.
After a nine-hour torture ordeal, they dangled the lifeless body of Francis for prison guards to see.
Maudsley was convicted of manslaughter and sent to HMP Wakefield.
In 1978, Maudsley strangled and stabbed Salney Darwood, 46, who had been jailed for killing his wife.
He hid Darwood's body under a bed before sneaking into the cell of paedophile Bill Roberts, 56, who had sexually abused a girl aged seven.
Robert Maudsley as a child (Liverpool Echo)He stabbed Roberts, hacked his skull with a makeshift dagger and smashed his head against a wall.
He was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
In 2000, he launched a legal bid to the courts requesting to be allowed to die.
In a letter he wrote at the time, he said: "What purpose is served by keeping me locked up 23 hours a day?
"Why even bother to feed me and to give me one hour's exercise a day? Who actually am I a risk to?
"As a consequence of my current treatment and confinement, I feel that all I have to look forward to is indeed psychological breakdown, mental illness and probable suicide.
"Why can't I have a budgie instead of flies, cockroaches and spiders which I currently have. I promise to love it and not eat it?
"Why can't I have a television in my cell to see the world and learn? Why can't I have any music tapes and listen to beautiful classical music?
"If the Prison Service says no then I ask for a simple cyanide capsule which I shall willingly take and the problem of Robert John Maudsley can easily and swiftly be resolved."
Previously, Albert Woodfox was believed to be the prisoner who had spent the most time in solitary confinement - after spending 43 years almost completely alone.
He had entered solitary confinement aged just 26 and came out as a 69-year-old man.