Ian Brady

Ian Brady went on a hunger strike at the high security Ashworth Psychiatric Hospital in October 1999, demanding the legal right to starve himself to death, rather than serving the remainder of his life in prison. This demand was refused by the High Court in March 2000, which upheld the hospital’s right to force-feed him.

In August 2001, Brady was front-page news once again, when it was revealed that he stood to earn £12,000 for 'The Gates of Janus', a book he had written about serial killers. Despite making no mention of Brady’s crimes, its publication was condemned by many, including the families of Brady’s victims. Brady has also, apparently, written his autobiography, which is held by his solicitors, pending publication after his death.

In February 2006, Brady sent the mother of victim Keith Bennett a letter. In the letter he complained of his treatment at the high-security hospital saying he was being kept alive by force-feeding for "political purposes". Brady also claimed that he could take police to within 20 yards of where Keith Bennett is buried. Staff at the hospital believe Brady was able to send the letter via a third party.