True crime writer Ian Hitchings has spent the last two years of his life researching and writing his new book – Robert Stewart – Portrait of a Prison Killer.
Rhymney-born Hitchings has just been added to the Literature Wales list of writers – the only true crime author to feature in their Literature Wales database.
His new book is due to be released on August 1, published by Oktober Books, Bristol.
It will expose the dark and chilling world of 29-year-old Manchester-born Robert Stewart, Britain’s most dangerous psychopathic prison killer.
Stewart committed heinous acts with a horrendous and gruesome disregard for human life.
“It’s not an easy or comfortable story to tell and it has taken two years of my life conducting meticulous research to reach the point where I am ready for publication,” said Hitchings.
“I am delighted that the book will soon be available. I am also delighted that the Welsh Academy has recognised my work. It can be a lonely existence as a writer and recognition when it comes in this form, from fellow writers, is a wonderful boost to the spirit.”
The subject of the latest book from Hitchings is Robert Stewart, who first made the headlines in relation to the murder of his cellmate 19 year-old Zahid Mubarek, in March 2000 at Feltham Young Offender Institute, London.
It was Zahid’s first time in prison and he was serving a sentence for stealing a set of razorblades worth £6, interfering with a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft. These were petty crimes. The case led to a government inquiry – the Zahid Mubarek Inquiry.
By this time, Robert Stewart had already been suspected of inciting a riot and stabbing another prisoner just below the eye.
In June, 1998, he was implicated in yet another gruesome prison murder, when his best friend and fellow prisoner Maurice Travis, got into an altercation over a piece of cake and horrifyingly stabbed to death inmate Alan Averall, with a knife he used to chop onions in their cookery class at Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution near Market Drayton, Shropshire.
Stewart and Travis had both talked about killing Averall. They’d agreed that once Travis had stabbed him, Stewart would then cut his throat.
Hitchings said: “Every prison has its fair share of monsters that we seldom hear about once they have been brought to justice and removed from society.
“It is, of course, extremely difficult to bring this particular monster to justice as Robert Stewart carries out his heinous acts from within the prison service – a place where prisoner on prisoner killings, assaults, self-harm and hangings are an everyday occurrence.
“It’s an environment where the Crown Prosecution Service fear to tread, unless there is a realistic prospect of a conviction.
“Stewart is an unpredictable psychopath who is fearless in a world where there are no limits, has complete and disregard for authority and commands utter respect from his fellow prisoners.
“He is housed on a special close supervision wing, which holds a small number of prisoners who are among the most difficult and disruptive in the prison system at HM Prison Woodhill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.”
