I love prison, says Indian’s killer at trial

Published on 10/07/2012 02:34

A KILLER who shot dead an Indian student in a random attack has told a jury: “I love prison. Lock me up for 65 years.”

Kiaran Stapleton, 21, said he had a “fat canteen” in prison and was waiting for a delivery of a new rug and bedding to his cell.

The defendant admits killing Anuj Bidve, 23, in Salford, in the early hours of Boxing Day but denies murder.

He made the comments in his trial at Manchester Crown Court when asked whether he had hoped the psychiatric reports considering the issue of diminished responsibility in his case would be in his favour.

Stapleton replied: “To be honest, I’m not bothered.

“I love prison. I watch Coronation Street. I have got a fat canteen. I love prison. Lock me up for 65 years.”

Looking to the jury from the witness box, he added: “Does this face look bothered?”

He told Brian Cummings QC, prosecuting, that he maintained the reason he got a “killer” teardrop tattoo two days after the shooting was because he had killed his goldfish – not an act of bravado in shooting Lancaster University student Mr Bidve.

He admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denies murder.

The trial continues today.