In an exclusive revelation, a woman has declared her wish to marry Robert Maudsley, infamously known as 'Hannibal the Cannibal,' who holds the record as Britain's longest-serving prisoner. However, their hopes are dashed by legislation enacted in 2024 that bars the most notorious offenders from tying the knot while incarcerated.
A Forbidden Romance Behind Bars
Loveinia Grace MacKenney, a 71-year-old Londoner and mother, has been exchanging letters with Maudsley for over five years, fostering a bond she describes as "unconditional love." Despite never meeting in person, she expresses a deep desire to marry him, aiming to provide comfort and human connection. "If he wanted to marry and I thought that was going to help him, then I would say yes," MacKenney stated, acknowledging the unconventional nature of her feelings. "To really understand life sometimes maybe you have to be a bit crazy yourself."
Legal Barriers and Emotional Struggles
The new laws, introduced in August 2024, explicitly prevent prisoners serving Whole Life Orders, like Maudsley, from entering into marriage or civil partnerships. This measure was designed to end "torment for victims and their families," according to government sources. MacKenney laments this restriction, emphasizing her goal to improve Maudsley's treatment and show him love. "I want to get him better treatment, for him to be treated like a human being," she explained, noting that their phone calls are monitored by prison authorities.
The Life of Robert Maudsley
Robert Maudsley, now 72, has spent 43 of his 51 years in prison under conditions akin to solitary confinement. His criminal history began in 1974 with a manslaughter conviction for strangling a child abuser, leading to his incarceration in Broadmoor hospital. In 1977, he committed another murder within the facility, and later, in 1983, he killed two fellow inmates at Wakefield prison, earning him the macabre 'Hannibal the Cannibal' moniker due to false rumors about cannibalism. Recently transferred to Whitemoor prison in Cambridgeshire, Maudsley considers MacKenney his partner, sharing love letters and favorite songs like 'Someday We'll be Together' by Diana Ross.
Connection Through Media and Letters
MacKenney's interest in Maudsley sparked after watching the 2020 TV documentary 'The Killer in My Family,' where she felt an "instant connection." She portrays him as a caring individual who endured severe childhood abuse, shaping his troubled path. In his correspondence, Maudsley has expressed gratitude, writing, "All the kindness, thoughtfulness and love you have shared with me through these last short years can get me through anything." He became Britain's longest-serving prisoner following the death of Moors murderer Ian Brady in 2017, who served 51 years.
Implications of the Marriage Ban
The 2024 law has immediate effects, blocking any possibility of marriage for prisoners like Maudsley. MacKenney remains hopeful for a visit, stating she would "be on the train there tomorrow" if allowed, but acknowledges the slim chances given his life sentence. Her story highlights the complex interplay between justice, rehabilitation, and human emotion in the penal system, raising questions about the limits of compassion for those deemed beyond redemption.
