Harold Shipman letters reveal lack of remorse and contempt for officials (From Knutsford Guardian)

Harold Shipman letters reveal lack of remorse and contempt for officials

4:50pm Wednesday 30th September 2009

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LETTERS written by Harold Shipman have revealed the serial killer’s lack of remorse and contempt for officials involved in his trial.

The handwritten documents, currently stored at Frank Marshall’s auction house in Church Hill, Knutsford, are often several pages long.

Many are signed ‘Fred’ – his middle name – and contain descriptions of his time in jail.

On Tuesday the Guardian studied some of the letters written during key times in the case.

Shipman wrote a note on January 7, 2000, just weeks before the trial verdict was revealed at Preston Crown Court.

He told of the jury and the likely outcome of their deliberations.

“The betting is a quick return as they’ve already decided. Decided what?” he wrote. “Anywhere from three to four weeks is being talked about.

“I have to go to prison every day as no-one knows when they, the jury, will come back.”

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Shipman also delivers his verdict on the prosecution solicitor’s closing statements.

He says he was branded a liar, a cheat, a forger and a murderer.

“Not a good time, as he laid it on, not with a trowel, but with a spade,” he wrote.

Nick Hall, principal auctioneer at Frank Marshall, said the letters also showed Shipman’s contempt for other legal officials, such as a judge.

“He’s very dismissive of all the professionals involved. He’s extremely disparaging,” he said.

Mr Hall said Shipman’s failure to admit remorse for his victims and their families was shocking.

“You would hope there would be some sort of remorse for them,” he said.

Some of the letters contain more minor details about Shipman’s life in prison, and his complaints.

One mentions the illness of prison staff.

“If the 12-8pm shift is affected, we cannot use the phone (6.30pm to 7.30pm), which isn’t very good,” he wrote.

During early 2000 Shipman was found guilty and given 15 life sentences.

In a letter dated February 26, 2000, the serial killer gave his thoughts on the verdict.

He told of his ‘shock’ and his attempts to find a solicitor for an appeal.

Shipman revealed some lawyers were either too busy or said they did not do such work.

“It appears fame (notoriety) and money just isn’t enough,” he wrote.

In the same letter, Shipman talks about overturning the verdict.

“Even if the appeal is successful, I can see how difficult the next year could be trying to sort all the mess out,” he said.

The final letter was written on December 15, 2003, just weeks before Shipman committed suicide.

In the last lines he tells of his prison status being changed because of reported run-ins with the staff.

“Prim (Shipman’s wife) is upset about the downgrading of me to basic, otherwise she is well,” he wrote. “I hope you have an enjoyable Christmas.”

The Shipman letters will be auctioned at Frank Marshall on November 10.

The Knutsford auctioneers was chosen, after it successfully sold the diary and tools of Britain’s last hangman, Harry Allen, for £17,200 in 2008.

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