Freshers’ Week rapist dies in ‘Monster Mansion’ jail the place Ian Watkins was killed
WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT: Akiel Flemming was jailed for 16 years after raping an undergraduate and sexually assaulting another having crept into her room after roaming a hall of residence
HMP Wakefield, AKA the Monster Mansion, is full of high-profile sex offenders including Ian Watkins who was killed inside last year(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A rapist who assaulted female students during a Midland university freshers’ week has passed away in a prison known as ‘Monster Mansion’.
Akiel Flemming committed rape against an undergraduate and sexually assaulted another after sneaking into her room while wandering around a hall of residence at the University of Wolverhampton. He also preyed on a third woman who was asleep with her boyfriend at approximately 5am.
Flemming, then 25, of Albert Avenue, Manchester, was apprehended on the same day, October 1, 2016. He was subsequently charged with rape, sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, reports Birmingham Live. Flemming denied the charges and insisted that the sexual contact was consensual after being invited into the halls.
However, a jury did not believe him and he was found guilty on all counts.
He received a 16-year prison sentence and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life at Wolverhampton Crown Court in June 2017.
Now it has come to light that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is investigating Flemming’s death. It was disclosed that the 35-year-old died at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire on Wednesday, April 22.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing. The Ministry of Justice also confirmed the death. A Prison Service spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is investigating. We will respond to its findings, and any recommendations by the coroner, in due course.”
Wakefield Prison earned the nickname ‘Monster Mansion’ due to the sheer number of notorious, high-risk sex offenders and killers housed within its walls. During the Category A facility’s inspection last year, roughly two-thirds of its prisoners were serving time for sexual crimes.
It is the very same prison where Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, who was serving 29 years for child sexual offences, was fatally attacked in his cell on October 11 last year. Two men have pleaded not guilty to his murder and proceedings continue.
During Flemming’s sentencing, Judge Patrick Thomas QC declared he was in “no doubt you represent a significant risk to the public”.
Det Con Tom Keady, from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit, also stated at the time: “Flemming’s actions were shocking.
“He prowled the corridors of the multi-occupancy accommodation and committed all three offences on the same morning during Fresher’s week targeting fellow students. All three of Flemming’s victims have been greatly affected and their studies were interrupted.”
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