A CONVICTED murderer has got thousands in legal aid to argue that separating him from other lags made him feel too anxious.
Islamic convert Denny De Silva, 32 — said to be an “extremist enforcer” — had taxpayers fund his human rights challenge.
He has previously been found guilty of smuggling in phones to share IS material and there were complaints he was battering other inmates at HMP Full Sutton, East Yorks.
He was sent to a separation unit but in January went to the High Court to argue limiting access to the gym, library, and educational opportunities violated his right to a private life under the European Court of Human Rights.
He won the case — adding more to his legal aid bill.
De Silva had already run up costs of £42,000 for barristers and £24,000 for solicitors at his 2016 murder trial.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This shocking case shows how the ECHR is has become a charter for criminals.
“I couldn’t care less if a dangerous Islamist fanatic has ‘anxiety’ from separation centres.
“Governors must be able to lock up radicalising prisoners in isolation without worrying about mad human rights laws.”
De Silva was jailed in 2016 for a minimum of 27 years for shooting dead a gangland rival.
He converted to Islam in prison but is said to intimidate and incite other Muslim prisoners.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the £66,000 figure was correct but billing was not finalised.
Denny De Silva has run up a legal aid bill complaining about his human rights in jailCollect Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
