THE sudden death at HMP Dartmoor of a Maoist cult leader and rapist who enslaved and imprisoned women – including his daughter – for 30 years has been confirmed as having been due to natural causes.
Aravindan Balakrishnan – who was known as Comrade Bala to his followers and prisoners – was six years into his 23-year prison sentence when he was found lifeless in bed in his prison cell on the morning of April 8, 2022.
An inquest into the 81-year-old’s death began on August 1 at Exeter Coroner’s Court, with no family members present. Balakrishnan was described as having been a “frail and elderly man” who had been diagnosed with dementia, and also suffered from poor eyesight, hearing loss and diabetess.
Following his arrival at the prison in Princetown in December 2021, the inquest heard he was put in a single cell and was on a wing for prisoners who were vulnerable or had health needs.
A fellow prisoner, who had been appointed Balakrishnan’s ‘buddy to assist him’, described how, the day before his death, he had gone into his cell as usual in the morning to give him a drink and helped him to ring his wife, before nurses showered him as he was unable to do it himself.
Bu hikaye The Herald dergisinin August 08, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Herald dergisinin August 08, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'SIGNIFICANT' RULES BREACH
FA REVEAL REASONS FOR 45,000 PITCH INVASION FINE
Rooney explains lack of action for Rami AI Hajj
WAYNE Rooney has given his reasons why Rami AI Hajj has not featured much for Plymouth Argyle lately as they have found points hard to come by in the Championship.
Gyabi: We are going to need the Green Army by our side for the rest of the season’
MIDFIELDER Darko Gyabi has spoken about the importance of the support of the Green Army to Plymouth Argyle's players ahead of the away game against Bristol City today.
FA Cup third round draw details
PLYMOUTH Argyle will find out their Emirates FA Cup third round opponents when the draw takes place on Monday, December 2.
Food banks should never be the norm
BUT FOR NOW, THEY REMAIN VITAL TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN BRITAIN
MPs in historic vote for assisted dying Bill
ASSISTED dying could be legalised in England and Wales after a historic vote saw proposed legislation clear its first hurdle in Parliament.
Haigh resigned after further info emerged’ No.10
DOWNING Street declined to say whether the Prime Minister knew about Louise Haigh's criminal conviction and said that \"further information\" had come to light before her resignation.
Gregg Wallace facing more accusations
GREGG Wallace has been accused of making \"lesbian jokes\" and \"highly inappropriate\" comments in the latest of a string of complaints made against the TV presenter by people who claim to have worked with him.
World gets first look at restored Notre-Dame
THE restored interior of Notre Dame Cathedral has been unveiled for the first time after more than five years of reconstruction work.
David takes a rest after 37 years of shear effort
A GARDENER is hanging up his shears after almost 40 years helping to tend a beautiful ten-acre garden on the edge of Dartmoor. David Milburn has spent 37 years at The Garden House near Yelverton.
