Student Anuj Bidve Killer Kiaran Stapleton Tells Court He 'Loves Prison'

'I love Prison', Anuj Bidve Killer Tells Court

A killer who shot dead an Indian student in a random attack has told a jury: "I love prison. Lock me up for 65 years."

Kiaran Stapleton, 21, said he had a "fat canteen" in prison and was waiting for a delivery of a new rug and bedding to his cell.

The defendant admits killing Anuj Bidve, 23, in Ordsall, Salford, in the early hours of Boxing Day but denies murder, the Press Association reported.

He made the comments in his trial at Manchester Crown Court when asked whether he had hoped the psychiatric reports considering the issue of diminished responsibility in his case would be in his favour.

Stapleton (right) said he doesn't know why he decided to shoot Bidve at point blank range

Stapleton replied: "To be honest, I'm not bothered.

"I love prison. I watch Coronation Street. I have got a fat canteen. I love prison. Lock me up for 65 years."

Looking to the jury from the witness box, he added: "Does this face look bothered?

"I have even got a new rug and bedding coming for my cell. I'm not bothered."

Earlier under cross-examination he was twice queried over whether he was mocking the court proceedings.

Stapleton then said: "I don't wish to discuss that. I might have animal cruelty sending letters to me at HMP Manchester."

Mr Cummings asked: "Are you being serious or are you making fun of the proceedings?"

"No, no, I'm being serious," he replied.

The defendant was earlier accused of making fun of the court when answering a question about his stay at the Campanile Hotel in Regent Road - near to the crime scene - the day after the shooting.

The jury has seen CCTV footage of Stapleton looking out of the hotel windows.

Mr Cummings asked him why he was doing so.

Stapleton said: "Seeing if there were any nice women walking past Regent Road ... seeing if there were any nice legs."

The prosecutor asked: "Is that true or are you having a laugh in this trial?"

"No, that's true," Stapleton replied.

Giving evidence, defence psychologist Dr Sanya Krljes said Stapleton had no idea or insight into what had caused him to shoot dead Mr Bidve.

She said: "He said, 'people think I'm a monster, I was working, a normal boy, had money, I had no drugs in my system.

"'This is why I hope that something is wrong with my brain and it is treatable. I could do it again to someone else.'"

She said he felt "nothing" about the shooting.

When asked of his feelings about the victim, the doctor said he told her: "I don't know him. I had no thought of him. Somebody has lost his life.

"I feel nothing, not sad or bad."

Stapleton walked up to Mr Bidve and his friends in the street as they walked to the Boxing Day sales queues and asked them the time. He then without warning fired one shot to his victim's head and ran from the scene.

He admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denies murder.

The trial continues tomorrow.

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