Levi Bellfield’s plan to enter into a civil partnership has been thwarted by a new law that prevents the most serious offenders from getting married while incarcerated.
Bellfield, one of the UK’s most infamous criminals, is serving two life sentences without the possibility of release for his heinous crimes, including the abduction and murder of 13-year-old Milly Dowler in 2002, the killings of Marsha McDonnell in 2003 and Amelie Delagrange in 2004, and the attempted murder of 18-year-old Kate Sheedy.
Outrage erupted when the 56-year-old appeared poised to marry in prison after getting engaged to a female visitor two years ago.
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Reports indicated that Bellfield proposed on one knee in front of prison staff at HMP Frankland, a high-security prison in County Durham. Despite opposition, Bellfield won a legal battle to proceed with the wedding, reportedly receiving up to £30,000 in legal aid to argue his case on human rights grounds.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) acknowledged last year that it lacked the authority to prevent Bellfield’s marriage but vowed to amend the law.
Bellfield’s switch from a marriage application to a civil partnership is believed to have accelerated the implementation of this new legislation, which took effect today.
This new law, part of the Victims and Prisoners Act, applies to murderers serving whole-life orders—a group that includes over 70 individuals, such as Rose West, Wayne Couzens, and Lucy Letby. Previously, marriage requests could only be denied if the prison governor cited security risks.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated, “Victims should not be tormented by seeing those who commit the most depraved crimes enjoy the moments in life that were stolen from their loved ones.
That is why I have acted as soon as possible to stop these marriages and give victims the support they deserve.” However, the justice secretary retains the discretion to allow ceremonies in highly exceptional cases, according to MoJ officials.
