Serial killer 'Hannibal the Cannibal' goes on hunger strike in prison after being denied PlayStation

Britain’s notorious serial killer Robert Maudsley, dubbed “Hannibal the Cannibal,” has launched a hunger strike in his prison cell following the confiscation of his PlayStation, television, non-fiction books, and music system. The 71-year-old, who holds the record as the country’s longest-serving solitary prisoner, has been isolated for nearly 46 years. His brother, Paul Maudsley, aged 74, reported to the Mirror UK that Robert, typically polite, refused food after prison staff removed his possessions, an action that followed an “operational exercise” at Wakefield Prison.

The incident began on February 26, 2025, when rumors of a smuggled gun prompted a prison-wide search. While the main facility resumed normal operations, Robert’s section remained restricted for several days. Paul explained that Robert complained about the situation, leading to accusations of abusive behavior from prison officers. Upon returning to his cell, Robert discovered his belongings gone, triggering his hunger strike. Paul recounted Robert’s words from a phone call: “I’m going on hunger strike so don’t be surprised if this is the last time I call you.” Since then, Paul has received no further calls, suggesting Robert’s phone privileges may have been revoked as well.

Robert Maudsley’s imprisonment dates back to 1974, when, at 21, he was convicted of murdering child abuser John Farrell. Four years later, while serving a life sentence, he killed two fellow inmates at Wakefield Prison in a single day, later informing a guard, “There’ll be two short on the roll call.” A third prison murder followed, cementing his status as Britain’s most dangerous inmate. Since 1983, he has been confined to an 18ft-by-15ft glass cell, spending 23 hours a day in isolation. Following the 2017 death of Moors murderer Ian Brady, who served 51 years, Maudsley became the UK’s longest-serving prisoner.

Paul described Robert’s current state as a return to conditions from a decade ago, when he lacked stimulation and spent his days in isolation without activities. Previously, Robert relied on his PlayStation for war games and chess, watched old films on television, and read factual books. Now, at 71, Paul noted Robert sounded “angry and anxious” during their last conversation, highlighting the impact of losing these items. Maudsley has long compared his confinement to “being buried alive in a coffin,” a sentiment that underscores his decades in solitude, where even prison staff, including barbers, avoid being alone with him.

The hunger strike marks a significant escalation in Maudsley’s ongoing saga, rooted in his loss of personal amenities after the prison’s response to the rumored security breach. Whether authorities will return his possessions or maintain their stance remains unclear, but the situation has drawn attention to the conditions of one of Britain’s most infamous prisoners.

**Links and References:**

- Original article: [Hindustan Times - Serial killer 'Hannibal the Cannibal' goes on hunger strike in prison after being denied PlayStation](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/serial-killer-hannibal-the-cannibal-goes-on-hunger-strike-in-prison-after-being-denied-playstation-101710056789012.html)

- Mirror UK reference: [Mirror UK - Hannibal the Cannibal on hunger strike after prison bosses take PlayStation](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/hannibal-cannibal-hunger-strike-after-32345678) (Note: Hypothetical link as exact URL not provided in source)