Triple axe killer died after refusing cancer care

A man who murdered three of his friends with an axe has died in prison after telling medical stuff he did not deserve cancer treatment, an inquest has found.

Alan Hobbs, 57, was found dead on a medical ward at HMP Full Sutton in East Yorkshire on 5 September 2024.

A coroner's court in Hull heard he declined medical intervention after his diagnosis of tonsil cancer in 2023, telling a prison nurse it would be "better off being used by someone who deserved it".

Hobbs was jailed for life in 1999 after admitting murdering Gillian Harvey, 30, Peter Smith, 31, and Ian Brown, 36, in Slough, Berkshire, while high on amphetamines.

Assistant Coroner Sarah Middleton ruled Hobbs died of natural causes from pneumonia after his immune system was weakened by his cancer.

In a statement read to the court, a prison doctor said Hobbs signed a document refusing all treatment, except pain relief, telling the doctor he believed that "due to his previous crimes he should remain and die in prison".

The bodies of Ms Harvey, Mr Smith and Mr Brown lay undiscovered in a flat for a week, the hearing at Reading Crown Court was told.

At the time, the detective in charge of the investigation said the murders were the "most appalling" he had seen in his 29-year career.

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