A man aged 39 has been accused of committing murder in connection with the death of another prisoner at HMP Exeter on September 15. James Desborough, a resident of Lower Sticker in Cornwall and an inmate at HMP Exeter, is facing charges for allegedly killing 65-year-old Steven Kempster. Desborough is currently held in police custody.
Authorities were alerted by the prison staff after discovering Mr. Kempster deceased in his cell around 5:40 am on September 15. The deceased’s family has been informed of the tragic incident.
A spokesperson from the Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the situation, stating that a 39-year-old individual, James Desborough, has been formally accused of murder in connection with an inmate’s death at HMP Exeter on September 15. The police were notified by the prison staff after Mr. Kempster was found deceased in his cell at approximately 5:40 am on the same day. The family of the deceased has been notified.
Desborough is set to appear before the Exeter Magistrates’ Court on September 18, as reported by Cornwall Live.
Helen Phillips from the Crown Prosecution Service declared, “The Crown Prosecution Service has made the decision to prosecute James Desborough for the alleged murder of Steven Kempster. Our prosecutors have gathered sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial and believe it is in the public interest to pursue legal actions. We have cooperated closely with the Devon and Cornwall Police during their investigative process.”
This development follows Justice Secretary David Lammy’s recent announcement regarding the trial of chemical suppressants for sex offenders in certain regions of England. Lammy stated that a trial in the south-west had shown positive results, with the medication helping to control problematic sexual arousal in offenders who could pose a risk to society. The approach will be expanded nationwide, starting with trials in the northwest and northeast regions, covering up to 20 prisons, allowing around 6,400 offenders access to voluntary chemical castration.
This initiative will involve 20 prisons implementing a program that combines medication and psychological treatments to address the inappropriate impulses of individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Mr. Lammy provided updates on these plans while presenting the Government’s Sentencing Bill for its second reading in the Commons.