Convicted murderer launches cosmetic care claim

Jul 29 2009 by Tom Mullen, The Journal

VICTIMS’ groups reacted with fury last night after a double murderer launched a High Court claim for the right to have cosmetic surgery.

Bosses at high-security Frankland Prison in County Durham have denied Dennis Harland Roberts treatment to have a “humiliating” birthmark removed from his face.

But lawyers for the killer, who is serving life for murdering an elderly couple in their home, say not to allow it breaches his human rights.

Roberts, 59, has been prevented from having the treatment since July 2007 for lack of an escort to take him from the jail to hospital.

London’s High Court heard he has a “low tolerance” of people commenting on the port wine stain, which covers much of his face and neck, and has been depressed.

But David Hines, founder of the National Victims Association last night joined senior members of the Prison Officers’ Association to express outrage that taxpayers’ money could be spent on cosmetic surgery for the killer.

Mr Hines, of South Shields, who formed NEVA after his 23-year-old daughter Marie was murdered, said: “I am absolutely disgusted that a convicted murderer should even be allowed to go to court for something as flippant as this.

“When this murderer’s victims will be continuing to grieve, why on Earth should he be allowed to do anything during his prison time but serve his sentence?

“A normal person in society can’t even afford cosmetic surgery. Time and time again, I hear about this kind of thing. It’s absolutely scandalous.”