Britain's longest-serving prisoner Robert Maudsley has found love with a 71-year-old woman named Loveinia MacKenney, but says he would probably kill again if released.
Relationship Behind Bars
Maudsley, who has been in custody since March 1974, communicates with MacKenney through letters and phone calls. The couple have been prohibited from visiting each other in person.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Maudsley described the nature of their relationship, saying MacKenney, a mother-of-one, had shown him a type of love he had not experienced growing up.
He said: "With my parents, there was no love. It has given me hope and for as long as we are alive, we will both have each other and give each other strength."
Island Dreams and Isolation
Maudsley said he imagines the pair would live on an "island" together were he to get out. He added that not being able to see MacKenney makes life on the inside extremely hard, although knowing she is still there provides support.
He added: "The denial of visits has added to my isolation, there is no doubt about that. The love we share keeps us going, it is the first time I have ever loved someone in the way that I love her."
Admission of Future Risk
Despite his love for MacKenney, Maudsley admitted it is probably for the best he remains in prison because there is a decent chance he would kill again, especially if he were to meet a sex offender.
He told the Mirror: "If I met someone who had sexually abused me, I would do my best to kill them."
He also said he wants to remain imprisoned for life and regards his whole-life term as justified.
Criminal History
Maudsley was originally jailed for strangling John Farrell in London, whom he said had shown him photographs of children he had sexually abused. He was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and sent to Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital.
While at Broadmoor, Maudsley and another patient tortured and killed Francis, a convicted child molester. He was later transferred to Wakefield Prison following his second killing in 1977.
At Wakefield Prison in 1978, Maudsley strangled and stabbed Salney Darwood, reportedly hiding his body beneath a bed. The same day, Maudsley attacked William Roberts with a dagger and an axe, killing him and causing severe injuries to his skull.
All three of his victims were reportedly child predators or sex offenders. Darwood had killed his wife and Roberts reportedly attempted to strangle and rape a young girl. As of August 2026, Maudsley has been in custody for roughly 52 years.
