Killer Brady in hospital for tests

Moors murderer Ian Brady has been taken to hospital, according to reports
3 July 2012

Moors Murderer Ian Brady is undergoing a series of tests after becoming "acutely physically unwell".

He is due to attend a mental health tribunal on Monday regarding his application to be transferred to a Scottish prison and be allowed to die. But his appearance at that hearing is now in doubt after he was taken ill at the high-security Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside where he has spent the last 25 years.

A hospital spokesman said: "Ian Brady, a patient at Ashworth Hospital, has been admitted to a general hospital after becoming acutely physically unwell on the ward. He is undergoing a series of tests and, as a precaution, he will be kept in.

"Ian Brady, 74, is in a single room and will be accompanied in that room at all times by two nurses from Ashworth Hospital. Two other members of Ashworth Hospital staff will also be on duty outside his room throughout his stay in the general hospital. It is too soon to provide a comment about his condition."

Glasgow-born Brady has been tube-fed since refusing food 12 years ago.

His solicitor, Richard Nicholas, confirmed his client was in hospital but said he could not comment any further on what happened. He said the tribunal "was obviously very important", adding: "We are waiting for a decision. We hope it's not going to be affected."

It is understood Brady was taken to Fazakerley Hospital in Aintree. He arrived at a rear entrance surrounded by guards and with a blanket over his head, a witness said. Visitors and other patients in the hospital were held in corridors while he passed through to his ward. There is now a massive security presence at the hospital. It is also understood the murderer is on a respirator for breathing problems.

On Monday, the solicitor acting on behalf of the mother of Moors Murder victim Keith Bennett said she would not be attending the mental health tribunal as it would be "too traumatic" for her.

Last December, Winnie Johnson, 78, from Longsight, Manchester, said she hoped to come "face to face" with her son's killer after a judge ruled Brady's tribunal would be held in public. But her solicitor, John Ainley, senior partner at North Ainley Halliwell, said Mrs Johnson was currently in hospital and not well enough to attend.

Brady and his partner, Myra Hindley, were responsible for the murders of five youngsters in the 1960s. They lured children and teenagers to their deaths, with the victims sexually tortured before being buried on Saddleworth Moor above Manchester. Hindley died in jail in November 2002, aged 60. Brady, who was born in Glasgow, wants to be transferred to a Scottish prison and be allowed to die.

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