A convicted killer has been formally charged with the attempted murder of a rapist refugee inside one of Britain's most notorious maximum-security prisons, revealing a disturbing case of violence behind bars.
Details of the Alleged Prison Attack
Duncan Heaton, aged 52, stands accused of attempting to kill Andong Abong Ashu, a former NHS laboratory scientist who was granted asylum in the United Kingdom before being imprisoned for horrific sexual crimes against a young girl. The alleged assault occurred at HMP Full Sutton, the high-security facility near York that houses some of the nation's most dangerous and reviled offenders.
Background of the Alleged Victim
Andong Abong Ashu, 55, originally from Cameroon, arrived in the UK in 2002 and was later granted refugee status. He successfully pursued higher education, obtaining a university degree, and secured employment within NHS laboratories. However, in 2016, his life took a dark turn when a jury convicted him of four counts of rape and seven other sexual assaults against a young girl in Hull, East Yorkshire.
During the trial, jurors heard how Ashu initiated the abuse when the victim was just 11 years old, using sham medical examinations as a pretext for his predatory actions. At sentencing, Judge Jeremy Richardson described Ashu as a 'calculating and cruel' individual and a 'depraved person who visited appalling debauchery upon [the victim].' He received a 21-year prison sentence for his crimes.
The Alleged Assault and Legal Proceedings
Ashu was incarcerated at HMP Full Sutton—a category A security prison accommodating approximately 600 inmates—when he was allegedly attacked by Heaton in May 2024. Specific details of the incident have only recently become public following Heaton's initial appearance at Hull Magistrates' Court last week.
Heaton, who is currently being held at HMP Wakefield, entered no pleas during the hearing. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before Hull Crown Court on February 12 for further proceedings related to the attempted murder charge.
Notorious History of HMP Full Sutton
HMP Full Sutton has gained notoriety for multiple incidents of severe violence within its walls. One of the most infamous cases involved the murder of paedophile Richard Huckle, who was serving 22 life sentences for abusing 200 Malaysian children. In October 2019, the 33-year-old sex offender died following a prolonged 78-minute assault by psychopath Paul Fitzgerald, aged 30, inside his cell.
Huckle was restrained, subjected to sexual violence, assaulted with various weapons, and ultimately strangled with an electrical cord during the brutal attack. The prison has also housed numerous other depraved criminals over the years, including serial killer Dennis Nilsen, police murderer Dale Cregan, and road rage killer Kenneth Noye.
Currently, among those serving time at Full Sutton are terrorist Hashem Abedi, the brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, and former Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick, who was convicted as a serial rapist. The facility's reputation for housing high-profile, dangerous offenders underscores the challenging environment within its secure perimeter.
