Akiel Flemming, who was jailed for 16 years for raping and sexually assaulting three female students at the University of Wolverhampton, has died at HMP Wakefield. The prison, known as 'Monster Mansion' due to its high number of sex offenders, is investigating the death of the 35-year-old.
Flemming targeted his victims during freshers' week in 2016, attacking them in their halls of residence. He raped one undergraduate, sexually assaulted another, and trespassed into a third woman's room while she was asleep with her boyfriend. He was arrested the same day and later convicted after a jury rejected his claims of consensual contact.
Sentenced in June 2017, Flemming was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. Judge Patrick Thomas QC stated he represented a 'significant risk to the public'. Detective Constable Tom Keady described his actions as 'shocking' and said they greatly affected his victims.
Flemming died on April 22 at HMP Wakefield, a Category A prison holding high-risk offenders. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an investigation. A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed they will respond to findings and any coroner recommendations.
This is not the first death at the prison; last year, singer Ian Watkins was fatally stabbed there. Two men deny his murder, and a trial is ongoing.
