Convicted murderer staging Strangeways rooftop protest

Stuart Horner clambered up a wall and onto the roof. Credit: MEN Syndication

A convicted murderer is staging a rooftop protest at HMP Manchester in his underpants over prison conditions.

Stuart Horner, 27, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, first clambered up a wall and onto the roof of the prison on Sunday afternoon.

He stripped to his Manchester United underpants at one stage, smashed windows, climbed up various structures and spent the night outside on the roof despite prison officers climbing ladders and trying to talk him down.

Inmates inside the jail have shouted encouragement with chants of: "There's only one Stuart Horner!"

Prisoners have now each been given a letter warning of "regime curtailments" due to the disruption caused by Horner to the Category A, top security jail.

Horner, who is visible and audible from the rooftop above the walls of the jail, known locally as Strangeways, has complained about prison conditions and shouted he wants to change prison history.

He was jailed in 2012 for life, with a minimum of 27 years before parole, for the murder of his uncle, Ian Taylor, 44, with a shotgun after a family feud.

Police have warned of some traffic disruption around the area near to HMP Manchester due to temporary road closures while the protest continues.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said they were called shortly after 3.30pm on Sunday to reports a prisoner was on the roof.

A spokesman for the force said: "The man is conducting a lone protest and has managed to get onto the top of the main building and cause damage to the roof.

"Staff at the prison are working to engage with the prisoner and resolve this situation, but he has remained on the roof overnight."

Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin of GMP added: "We are supporting our colleagues at HMP Manchester Prison to manage this incident safely, and as such we have had to temporarily close a number of roads.

"There may be some traffic disruption in the area, so those travelling past the prison are advised to allow some extra time for their journeys this morning if possible."