Hardman’s psychiatric nurse pens book on Altcourse
A PSYCHIATRIC nurse who treated Anglesey “Vampire killer” Mathew Hardman when he was first held on remand in prison has given a chilling insight into the evil murderer.
Chris Kinealy spent the best part of a year working with Hardman at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool before his conviction for a crime unparalelled in its callous brutality.
In 2001 Hardman, then just 17, slaughtered his 90-year-old neighbour Mabel Leyshon at her home in Llanfairpwll on Anglesey.
Mrs Leyshon was found with 22 stab wounds before Hardman, who was her paperboy, used a kitchen knife to cut open her chest, remove her heart, and drink her blood.
Her body was mutilated, with pokers placed at her feet in the shape of a cross.
He was jailed for life in 2002 but after his arrest and arrival at Altcourse, Mr Kinealy was the first medical person to see him.
The 65-year-old, who has just published a book, My Stretch in Altcourse Prison, will never forget the moment he first encountered Hardman.
Speaking to the Mail, he said: “The first thing that struck me was that Hardman was freshfaced, well spoken, and nothing like what the general public may consider a murderer to look like.
“I actually liked Mathew, as crazy as that may sound to most people. He was an engaging boy and I found we had a good rapport.
“But what I found strangest of all was when he first arrived in prison, he had a huge grin on his face.
“Now, most 17-year-olds I know of would be scared to death when arriving at prison having been charged with mur- der.
“When I asked how he felt, he said ‘this is the most exciting thing to have ever happened to me’.”
But behind the apparently affable exterior, Mr Kinealy was in no doubt that he was sitting face to face with a killer.
“Having spent so much time with him, I’m convinced he was a paranoid schizophrenic.
“I’m also in no doubt he was guilty, the evidence against him was overwhelming and although he always denied it, I don’t think there’s any way he didn’t do it.
“He was a young man who didn’t show any emotion.
“In fact, the only time he did was on the day he was sentenced. He asked me if I thought he was guilty, and I said I did, everyone did.
“He curled up in a foetal position and started to cry.”
But according to Mr Kinealy, who spoke to Hardman over 80 times times during twice weekly consultations, he never once admitted his guilt.
Hardman maintained his innocence throughout this session and others, despite his obvious intelligence.
Mr Kinealy, who worked for 38 years as a mental health nurse, added: “Shortly after arrival, I referred him to meet a psychiatrist who concluded he had no mental issues, which I found mind boggling to be honest.”
Hardman wept in court when the judge Mr Justice Richards jailed him for life, with a minimum term of 12 years.
Having always denied any involvement in the murder, he was described by the judge as a “remorseless killer”.
“Through 16 hours of interview, he at no time offered any sympathy, any concern about Mabel Leyshon and what happened to her,” he added.
When asked if he believed Hardman knew of his own guilt, Mr Kinealy said: “He could be in denial but the evidence was so overwhelming, I don’t think there’s any doubt.”
Chris Kinealy’s book, My Stretch in Altcourse Prison, and his other title, called The Book They Tried to Ban are available to download on amazon.co.uk.