Levi Bellfield is responsible for murdering three females, including schoolgirl Milly Dowler and attempting to murder another and is currently serving time in prison for these horrific crimes. Bellfield has requested to get legally married whilst serving his sentence in County Duran jail.
Reportedly, the serial killer took to one knee in front of prison officers, to propose to a woman visitor. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Bellfield is now engaged.
A former nightclub bouncer and wheel clamper, Levi Bellfield has fathered 11 children to five different women. He is currently serving life imprisonment for his violent crimes.
Read more: Serial killer Levi Bellfield seeks permission to marry in Frankland prison
Can you get married in prison in the UK?
Yes, it is legal to get married in prison in the UK. However, the process isn’t as simple as getting married outside of prison.
This is because prisoners who want to get married have to apply to the governor of the prison to get married. And governors have the power to object to this request, which means it’s not always guaranteed.
Prison governors are expected to take into consideration a prisoner's eligibility to get married and to weigh up any security concerns around a ceremony at the prison. It is mandatory for prison governors to consider applications from all prisoners for marriage and civil partnership, regardless of their convictions.
Under Section 27A of the Marriage Act 1949, the Governor must also decide whether they have any objection to the prison being named on the notice of marriage as the place. The prison service has said that governors must be mindful of the need to make every effort possible to facilitate the prisoner’s human rights, as per Article 12 of the European Convention.
In Levi Bellfield’s case, he will need permission from the governor at HMP Frankland in County Durham in order to legally get married whilst in prison. A Ministry of Justice spokesman confirmed that “an application has been received and is being considered in the usual way.” It’s also been reported that Bellfield’s application is still being processed and is not yet at any further progressive stage.
When was Levi Bellfield sentenced to prison?
In 2008, 53-year-old Bellfield was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a whole-life order for murdering Ms. McDonnell, 19, and Ms. Delagrange, 22, as well as attempting to murder Kate Sheedy, 18.
The murderer was already serving this sentence when he went on trial for killing schoolgirl Milly Dowler, whom he murdered in 2002. Bellfield was found guilty of both abducting and killing 13-year-old Milly after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011. He was again sentenced to life imprisonment for this crime.
