20 Feb, 2015 13:19

1st gay marriage in UK prison…1 groom jailed for homophobic murder

Two convicted murderers serving time in Full Sutton prison are set to perform the UK’s first gay wedding ceremony behind bars next month. In an improbable twist, one of the killers is behind bars for committing a homophobic murder.

Mark Goodwin, 31, who led a gang that beat up homosexuals, was ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years in 2007 for the homophobic murder of Malcom Benfold, 57.

His co-groom, Mikhail Ivan Gallatinov, 40, was jailed in 1997 for strangling his gay ‘lover’ Adrian Kaminsky, 28, whom he met on a dating site.

After the killing, Gallatinov was stopped on a motorway by police who discovered Kaminsky’s dead body in the back of his car.

Kaminsky’s horrified mother fears Gallatinov will “do something” to her and her daughter if he is ever released, she told a review hearing.

The murder was branded as “chilling” and “well-planned” by Judge Rhys Davies QC, who sentenced Gallatinov to 20 years behind bars.

Killers to marry in first gay prison wedding #MikhailIvanGallatinov #MarcGoodwin... http://t.co/rzeSBWpGxp pic.twitter.com/nqJMzPehbx
— Trending UK News (@UKolizer) February 19, 2015

The killer-couple will be the first homosexual inmates ever to tie the knot in a UK prison at their wedding ceremony next month.

A notice of their marriage was posted at the register office in Beverley.

The couple has reportedly “wanted to tie the knot for several years” and, following last year’s legalization of gay marriage, their marriage application was successfully granted by prison authorities.

Alongside education, freedom of religion and healthcare, marriage is considered a “basic human right.” Therefore, prisoners have had the right to marry in jail since the Marriages Act of 1983.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said, “We do not comment on individuals. Prisoners are entitled to apply to be married in prison under the Marriages Act 1983. This would take place at no cost to the taxpayer and there is no possibility they would share a cell.”

RT asked social media users whether prisoners should have the right to marry behind bars, eliciting a divergence of views.

#QuestionMore: Should killers be allowed to marry in jail? Tweet us your opinions pic.twitter.com/TxXd7Aghx5
— RT UK (@RTUKnews) February 20, 2015

One Twitter user told RT that because “prisoners have broken the law and social contracts” they should therefore lose their liberty and have no right to vote or to marry.

@RTUKnews prisoners have broken the law and social contracts. For that, they have lost their liberty. Should mean right to vote and marry
— brendan leeming (@brend24) February 20, 2015

Another said murderers should “lose all rights when they break the laws of society,” adding “this is the purpose of detention.”

@RTUKnews @RT_com No. They lose all rights when they break the laws of society. This is the purpose of detention
— elizabeth scott (@genepoolreject) February 20, 2015

“Lol, Marry in jail? So what’s the point of going to jail in the first place if not to be deprived of such rights?” another user asked.

@rtuknews Lool, marry in Jail? So whats the point of going to jail in the first place if not to be deprived of such rights?
— Legal Hermit (@The_LegalHermit) February 20, 2015

“You lose the right to make life decisions when you take the life of someone,” another tweeted to RT.

@RTUKnews @RT_com no way. They're there to serve a punishment, you lose the right to make life decisions when you take the life of someone.
— white-rem (@DrSerious) February 20, 2015

Others argued that marriage behind bars should indeed be allowed.

“Yes it is their basic human right,” one Twitter user said to RT.

“If they both love each other, then why not?”

Killers should only get married in prison “if they really love each other,” another tweeted.