A MURDERER who was serving two life sentences has been “killed by another prisoner” inside a high-security jail.
John Mansfield was attacked inside HMP Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday and a 44-year-old has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.
AlamyMansfield had 75 prior convictions and was serving a life sentence following the murder of his elderly neighbour in 2007[/caption]
The disabled grandmother was butchered with two knives and a pair of scissors for a handful of coinsMen Syndication
Mrs Alfanso was found dead at her flat on May Road
PAMansfield received a second life sentence in 2014 after stabbing another prisoner with a broken plate[/caption]
It is thought the attack occurred in the prison’s close supervision centre where inmates are meant to be monitored.
Despite the best efforts of prison staff Mansfield died following the incident.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Police are investigating the death of prisoner John Mansfield at HMP Whitemoor on Sunday, April 13. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Mansfield had 75 prior convictions and was serving a life sentence following the murder of his elderly neighbour in 2007.
The brutal attack saw Ann Alfanso, who was 63-years-old at the time, stabbed almost 100 times at her home in Manchester.
A court heard how he had taken cocaine, morphine, methadone and heroine beforehand.
He dragged Alfanso around in the “frenzied” attack, hunting for cash before escaping with just a handful of coins.
A trail of blood led to Mansfield’s home in the same block with her body being found by her home-help.
He received a second life sentence in 2014 after stabbing another prisoner with a broken plate.
Following his attack on John Orme, a rapist inside HMP Full Sutton in 2014, Mansfield was expected to never be released from jail.
Sentencing him to a second life term, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, said: “This was a pre-planned and calculating attack on a fellow inmate. You would have carried on had you not been prevented.
“I doubt very much it will ever be safe to release you. I have no doubt you are a very dangerous criminal who regards violence as the norm, who has no hesitation but to kill when necessary.
“You killed an old lady. Now you have convictions for two violent offences in prison. I have every reason to believe it will never be safe to release you. You are a violent and very dangerous man who poses a considerable threat to the public.”
It comes just days after three prison guards had hot cooking oil thrown over them, leaving a woman seriously injured.
The brother of the Manchester Arena bomber allegedly knifed three prison guards.
Warders suffered from burns, scalds and stab wounds from the attack allegedly carried out by 28-year-old Hashem Abedi, sources said.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated.”
Meanwhile, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said it was “ridiculous” highly dangerous prisoners are given access to cooking facilities and weapons that can threaten lives.
He said: “That luxury must be removed immediately. Prison governors need to stop appeasing these offenders. The safety of prison officers is infinitely more important than the supposed ‘welfare’ of terrorists.”
John Mansfield was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court for the brutal murder of Ann Alfanso, 63, of Whalley RangeMen Syndication Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
