Mental health tribunal rules against Ian Brady

Moors murderer Ian Brady has lost his appeal to be moved from a secure psychiatric hospital to a regular prison.

Brady had requested a move to a regular prison in Scotland, saying he was no longer mentally ill, but experts at Ashworth Hospital [pictured], where he has been since 1985, said he had chronic mental illness and needed to remain in the Merseyside-based hospital.

Brady was convicted, along with Myra Hindley, in 1966 of murdering three children. They later admitted to two other murders. Hindley died in prison in 2002.

During the tribunal, Brady's lawyer said that his client had a severe personality disorder but was not mentally ill and therefore could be treated in prison rather than hospital.

Brady also told the tribunal that he had been “method acting” to convince doctors he was mentally ill to secure a transfer from regular prison to a secure hospital.

However, the tribunal ruled against Brady. Judge Robert Atherton, who headed the three-person tribunal at Ashworth, said: “The tribunal has concluded that Mr Ian Stewart Brady continues to suffer from a mental disorder which is of a nature and degree which makes it appropriate for him to continue to receive medical treatment, and that it is necessary for his health and safety and for the protection of other persons that he should receive such treatment in hospital, and that appropriate medical treatment is available for him."

The reasons for the tribunal’s decision will be released later. Brady has the right to challenge the decision.

Dr David Fearnley, consultant forensic psychiatrist and medical director at Ashworth Hospital, issued a statement saying: “We appreciate the time and effort the mental health tribunal has given to this case and its judgment is consistent with the expert opinions of our clinicians.

“Mr Brady suffers from a severe personality disorder and a mental illness which still require high quality care. It is a testament to the staff of Ashworth Hospital that we have been able to stabilise his schizophrenia to the degree we have. However, his condition is chronic and will require this support for the foreseeable future.”