A man aged 39 has been accused of murder following the death of another inmate at HMP Exeter on Monday, September 15. James Desborough, residing in Lower Sticker, Cornwall, and also incarcerated at HMP Exeter, faces charges related to the killing of 65-year-old Steven Kempster. Desborough is currently held in police custody.
Law enforcement received a notification from the prison indicating that Mr. Kempster was found deceased in his cell around 5:40 am on Monday, September 15. The deceased’s relatives have been informed of the incident.
A representative from Devon and Cornwall Police stated, “A 39-year-old man has been formally charged with murder in connection with the death of a fellow inmate at HMP Exeter on September 15.”
Desborough is set to appear before Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 18, according to reports from Cornwall Live.
Helen Phillips of the Crown Prosecution Service declared, “After careful consideration, the Crown Prosecution Service has opted to prosecute James Desborough for the murder of Steven Kempster. Our decision is based on the presence of sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial and the importance of pursuing legal actions in the interest of public safety. We have collaborated closely with Devon and Cornwall Police throughout their investigative process.”
This development follows an announcement made by Justice Secretary David Lammy regarding the initiation of trials for chemical suppressants for sex offenders in certain regions of England. Chemical castration has been deemed successful in the south-west and will now be trialed in the north-west and north-east regions.
Mr. Lammy informed parliament that the trial in the south-west yielded positive outcomes. The medication assists in controlling problematic sexual impulses, thereby mitigating risks posed by offenders to the public. The approach combines medication with psychological interventions aimed at addressing various factors leading to criminal behavior.
The nationwide rollout of this approach will commence in the northwest and northeast regions, encompassing up to 20 prisons. Approximately 6,400 offenders will have access to voluntary chemical castration as part of the program, which includes a combination of medication and psychological support to curb the dangerous tendencies of sex offenders.
This initiative will extend to 20 correctional facilities, providing a comprehensive treatment plan to address the behaviors of individuals with sexual offenses. Mr. Lammy briefed MPs on these contentious measures while introducing the Government’s significant Sentencing Bill for its second reading in the Commons.