Akiel Flemming, a sex offender who raped and sexually assaulted three female students at the University of Wolverhampton during freshers' week in 2016, has died in prison. The 35-year-old was found dead at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire on Wednesday, April 22.
Flemming was jailed for 16 years in June 2017 after being convicted of rape, sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence. He had targeted his victims by roaming a hall of residence and creeping into their rooms. One undergraduate was raped, another was sexually assaulted, and a third woman was targeted while asleep with her boyfriend.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the circumstances of his death. A Prison Service spokesperson said: '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.'
HMP Wakefield, known as 'Monster Mansion', houses a high number of high-risk sex offenders and murderers. At the time of a recent inspection, about two-thirds of its inmates were convicted of sexual offences. It is the same prison where singer Ian Watkins was fatally stabbed in his cell in October last year.
At sentencing, Judge Patrick Thomas QC told Flemming he represented 'a significant risk to the public'. Detective Constable Tom Keady of West Midlands Police said Flemming's actions were 'shocking' and that his victims had been 'greatly affected', with their studies interrupted.
