An ex-guard from a prison revealed that a vicious murderer, who inflicted brutal torture and drugged a defenseless man while keeping him captive before abandoning his body on a roadside, took precautions to protect himself in jail after becoming a target among fellow inmates.
James Wheatley received a life sentence for the murder of vulnerable Lee Irving, who endured a terrifying ordeal of violence while being held at Wheatley’s residence in Newcastle a decade ago.
Upon his transfer to HMP Frankland, Wheatley, fearing for his safety as his fellow prisoners learned of his crimes, sought refuge. The former guard, who had worked at the high-security prison in County Durham, shared insights into life within the prison walls, known as ‘monster mansion,’ and shed light on the experiences of notorious inmates at the facility housing some of the nation’s most dangerous male convicts.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, the ex-guard remarked, “Many of the inmates appear ordinary until you grasp the severity of their actions. The challenges we face here are beyond belief.”
Lee, a man with profound learning disabilities, met his demise in 2015 when Wheatley, after befriending the 24-year-old, confined him at his home in Kenton Bar, where he resided with his mother, Julie Mills.
In the courtroom, it was disclosed that Lee, from West Denton, was subject to beatings and drug-induced sedation, including morphine, to prevent his escape. Following his death, his body was disposed of near the A1 in Fawdon after being transported in a stroller. Lee sustained a host of injuries, akin to those seen in victims of car accidents, including 27 rib fractures. Wheatley was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 23 years.
The former officer mentioned that Wheatley was known as ‘Millsy’ by most inmates upon his arrival at Frankland. Initially housed in the main wing due to his status as a murderer, Wheatley was subsequently relocated to a unit for vulnerable prisoners (VPs) due to concerns that the depravity of his crimes made him susceptible to attacks. The majority of VPs are either sex offenders or individuals who have targeted children, as explained by the source.
The ex-officer recalled, “I had to inform him one day in the office about an upcoming TV documentary on him. I warned him to brace himself for any backlash. Consequently, he secluded himself for a few days, acknowledging the potential threats he faced due to his actions.”
He further elaborated, “Initially, Wheatley was placed in the regular wing because of his murder conviction. However, as his offenses came to light, he requested to be moved for his safety. The gravity of his crimes made him a prime target.”
Despite Wheatley’s past, the former guard noted that he was cooperative and even joked, “If you saw his recent photos compared to when he was convicted, you wouldn’t recognize him. He’s gained considerable weight. He’s easy to converse with, always steering the conversation towards Newcastle United.”
The ex-guard admitted to researching the backgrounds of the inmates he worked with and acknowledged being frequently shocked by the heinous nature of their crimes. “While it’s best not to delve too deep, curiosity often gets the better of you, compelling you to learn about the individuals you’re dealing with,” he added.
During night shifts, he would peruse through the inmates’ files to familiarize himself with them. Despite the inherent challenges, he aimed to treat all prisoners equally and maintain a professional demeanor, regardless of their criminal history.
