UK’s most dangerous prisoner goes on hunger strike after having PlayStation confiscated

The 71-year-old has languished in solitary confinement since 1983.

Dubbed as the “cannibal killer” across the UK, Robert Maudsley is the longest-serving British prisoner in solitary confinement.

He killed a total of four people – three of whom were murdered whilst he was already in prison.

In 1974, Maudsley strangled John Farrell to death in Wood Green, London. According to reports at the time, Farrell picked up Maudsley for sex and showed him pictures of children he had sexually abused.

Maudsley surrendered himself to police, saying he needed psychiatric care. He was found unfit to stand trial and was sent to Broadmoor Hospital.

His next killing took place at Broadmoor, and he went on to kill two more men while serving a life sentence for a murder at Wakefield Prison.

Maudsley had a rough childhood, suffering abuse at the hands of his parents and those in charge of a religious orphanage.

In 2022, Maudsley made headlines again when he asked wardens for a pet for his prison cell – before promising not to eat it.

He requested a pet for his bespoke-built cell back in 2000. The killer also requested a TV to keep up to date on current affairs and asked for a cyanide pill with which to take his own life.

Writing to the prison system back in 2000, he said: “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?”

Maudsley did eventually get that TV, and a PlayStation on top of that, which he apparently plays religiously.

At least he did, until they were confiscated in an ‘operational exercise’ last month. Now, Maudsley has gone on hunger strike.

His brother Paul, 74, told the Mirror: "He’s been refusing food since last Friday so we are very worried about him.

"He called me from prison that day and he sounded angry and anxious. He told me, 'I’m going on hunger strike so don’t be surprised if this is the last time I call you'."

Paul continued: "He used to have access to a phone inside his cell, but he’s stopped calling us back so we think they must have taken it away.

"Bob is 71 now so we don’t know how long he will be able to survive without food."

"He’s back to how he was 10 years ago when he didn’t have anything to stimulate him and he would just sit there and vegetate and was in danger of going mad." added his concerned brother.

"He loves playing war games and chess on his PlayStation and he’s always watching old films on TV and reading factual books.

"They’re so important to him, it’s not fair to take them away without a good reason.

"We can’t get through to anyone to find out what’s going on and we are very concerned."