Akiel Flemming was jailed for 16 years at HMP Wakefield where Ian Watkins was also killed
Husna Anjum Senior Live News Reporter and Ben Perrin
12:23, 10 May 2026Updated 12:41, 10 May 2026
Akiel Flemming who was jailed for 16 years for rape, sexual assault and trespass
A rapist who attacked three female students in one morning died in prison. Now the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is investigating the sex offender’s death and will ‘respond in due course’.
The former student was locked up in Wakefield Prison also known as ‘Monster Mansion’, the same jail Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins was stabbed to death in. Akiel Flemming targeted his victims during a University of Wolverhampton freshers’ week in 2016.
Flemming raped an undergraduate and sexually assaulted another having crept into her room after roaming a hall of residence at the university. BirminghamLive reports he also targeted a third woman who was asleep with her boyfriend at around 5am.
The then 25-year-old, of Albert Avenue, Manchester, was arrested the same day on October 1, 2016. He was later charged with rape, sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
Flemming had denied the offences and claimed the sexual contact was consensual after being welcomed into the halls. But a jury did not believe him and he was convicted on each count.
HMP Wakefield(Image: PA)
He was jailed for 16 years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life at Wolverhampton Crown Court in June 2017. Now it has emerged the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is probing Flemming’s death.
It was revealed the 35-year-old died at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire on Wednesday, April 22. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death was ongoing.
The Ministry of Justice also confirmed the death.
A Prison Service spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is investigating. We will respond to its findings, and any recommendations by the coroner, in due course.”
Wakefield Prison was dubbed ‘Monster Mansion’ because of the number of high-profile, high-risk sex offenders and murderers held there. At the time of the Category A jail’s inspection last year, about two-thirds of its inmates were convicted of sexual offences.
It is the same jail where singer Ian Watkins, who was serving a 29 years for child sexual offences, was fatally stabbed in his cell on October 11, last year. Two men deny his murder and a trial is ongoing.
At the time of Flemming’s sentencing, Judge Patrick Thomas QC told him he was in “no doubt you represent a significant risk to the public”.
Det Con Tom Keady, of West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit, also said at the time: “Flemming’s actions were shocking. He prowled the corridors of the multi-occupancy accommodation and committed all three offences on the same morning during Fresher’s week targeting fellow students.
“All three of Flemming’s victims have been greatly affected and their studies were interrupted.”
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