HMP Birmingham is being investigated after a homophobic killer murdered his cellmate.
Vitalie Tanga stangled 41-year-old Tajinder Kular with a kettle lead in September 30, 2022.
The victim never regained consciousness and died in hospital three weeks later.
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At the time of the attack Tanga had been arrested on suspicion of murdering 56-year-old Alfred Mattox in Wolverhampton in May 2021.
He was later found guilty with a judge concluding he attacked Mr Mattox due to hosility towards the victim’s homosexuality.
Tanga, aged 41, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 25 years, but after his subsequent conviction for murdering Mr Kular he was re-sentenced to life with a minimum of 27 years and six months last week.
The case has posed a number of questions over HMP Birmingham‘s handling of the Moldovan national.
Amjad Malik KC, defending Tanga, confirmed that despite a history of schizophrenia he had not been seen by an in-reach mental health team prior to attacking Mr Kular.
The barrister argued an assessment may have resulted in him being placed in isolation or on a medical wing, as opposed to being moved into Mr Kular’s cell the night before he fatally assaulted him.
Mr Malik told the court Tanga experienced ‘grandiose delusions’ including believing he was the richest man in the world and that he was going to rule the world as president.
He added his mental state had improved after rececieving anti-psychotic medication in November 2022.
HMP Birmingham -Credit:SWNS
The trial also heard that the alarm was activated in the cell as Tanga fought with Mr Kular but that there was no response from guards.
They only came to check up on Tanga afterwards because he had been acting bizarrely earlier in the morning and had to be escorted back to the cell.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman confirmed an investigation into the attack was ongoing.
They added their findings would be published after the conclusion of an inquest which was opened on November 8, 2022 and then adjourned pending the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
A prison service spokeswoman added: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Tajinder Kular.
“Every death in custody is investigated by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and we will respond to its findings, and any recommendations by the coroner, in due course.”