Rose West, one of Britain's most notorious female serial killers, is reportedly said to be on "her last legs" health-wise, with her condition so grave that she is unable to move without assistance. West, 72, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1995 for the murders of 10 girls and women alongside her husband Fred at their Gloucester house of horrors, 25 Cromwell Street.
Health Deteriorates in Prison
West is currently held at HMP New Hall near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and was previously disciplined for sexually assaulting a young female inmate in her 20s. It is understood, however, that West now has access to a television, DVDs and computer games, along with £20 a week to spend in the prison canteen.
Despite having her privileges reinstated, West's health is said to have deteriorated significantly, with prison staff having put in place a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, or PEEP, to ensure she can be safely evacuated in the event of an emergency.
Staff Report 'Really Bad Way'
A source told The Sun that West was in a "really bad way and can now barely move". They added: "...people have been talking about how West is on her last legs and does not have long left because of her health. She cannot leave her wing and is also resigned to dying in jail."
Under her PEEP plan, West would require assistance from staff to evacuate in the event of a fire or other incident at the prison. The source explained: "It means they have to plot a safe escape route and that particular staff are assigned to help her if she is in danger. They also have to have equipment on hand, like a wheelchair, which they would move her in if they had to."
Notorious Killing Spree
Rose West and her husband Fred were responsible for one of the most notorious killing sprees in British criminal history. The monstrous pair lured vulnerable women and girls to their unremarkable address in Gloucester, where they carried out savage murders spanning the 1970s and 1980s.
Fred took his own life aged 53 while awaiting trial for the appalling crimes in 1995. He had buried several victims at the couple's home at 25 Cromwell Street, which police subsequently uncovered.
Known victims of the murderous couple include Lynda Gough, Carole Ann Cooper, Lucy Partington, Therese Siegenthaler, Shirley Hubbard, Juanita Mott, Shirley Anne Robinson and Alison Chambers. A number of the women had been living with the Wests, while others were snatched from the street.
Fred also killed lover Ann McFall and his first wife Catherine Costello. Rose and Fred's daughter Heather was also murdered in June 1987 at just 16 years of age. Her body was concealed beneath the patio after she had suffered abuse at the hands of her parents throughout her life.
The youngest victim was Rose's eight-year-old stepdaughter Charmaine. The house of horrors on Cromwell Street has since been torn down.
A Prison Service spokesperson told The Sun: "Rose West's crimes were horrific, and she will rightly spend the rest of her life behind bars."
