James Desborough, 39, has been charged with the murder of 65-year-old Steven Kempster, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Exeter on Monday, September 15
A 39 year old man has been charged with murder following the death of a fellow prisoner at HMP Exeter on Monday, September 15.
James Desborough, from Lower Sticker, Cornwall, and also an inmate at HMP Exeter, has been charged with murdering 65 year old Steven Kempster. Desborough remains in police custody.
Officers received a report from the prison that Mr Kempster had been discovered dead in his cell at approximately 5.40am on Monday, September 15. His next-of-kin have been notified.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “A 39-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of an inmate at HMP Exeter on Monday 15 September.
“James Desborough, also an inmate at HMP Exeter, has been charged with the murder of 65-year-old Steven Kempster. He is currently in police custody.
“We received a report from the prison that Mr Kempster was found deceased within his cell at around 5.40am on Monday 15 September. His next-of-kin have been informed.”
Desborough is scheduled to appear before Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 18, reports Cornwall Live.
Helen Phillips from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute James Desborough for the murder of Steven Kempster.
“Our prosecutors have established that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. We have worked closely with Devon and Cornwall Police as they carried out their investigation.”
It comes just days after Justice Secretary David Lammy announced that chemical suppressants for sex offenders will be trialled in north west and north east England after a successful trial in the south west.
The Justice Secretary told MPs that a trial in south-west England had been “positive”. The controversial medication limits “problematic sexual arousal”, he said – restraining offenders who could be a risk to the public.
Mr Lammy said: “These drugs restrain sexual urges and offenders who could pose a risk to the public. They’re delivered alongside psychological interventions that target other drivers of offending, including asserting power and control.
“And while the evidence base is limited, it is positive. And for that reason, we will roll the approach out nationwide, starting with two new regions, the northwest, the north east covering up to 20 prisons.” Mr Lammy announced that around 6,400 offenders will be able to access voluntary chemical castration.
It will mean 20 jails are now part of the programme, which includes medication and psychological treatment to help curb the vile urges of paedophiles and rapists. Mr Lammy updated MPs on the controversial plans as he laid out the Government’s landmark Sentencing Bill for its second reading in the Commons.