Ian Brady cannot have music at his funeral, judge rules
THE BODY OF ‘UNIQUELY EVIL’ MURDERER WILL BE DISPOSED OF WITH ‘NO CEREMONY’
MOORS murderer Ian Brady has been denied his last request for music at his cremation.
‘Uniquely evil’ Brady, who died in May aged 79, will be disposed of with ‘no music and no ceremony,’ ruled the Chancellor of the High Court, Sir Geoffrey Vos.
He said it was clear Brady was someone described by law lord Lord Steyn as ‘uniquely evil’ – and there was real and genuine public anger and distress about what might happen to his remains. The families of his victims might well be legitimately offended by an insensitive disposal and there was a public interest in ensuring it did not create unrest or disorder, he said.
Brady and Myra Hindley, who died in prison in 2002, tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s. Four of the victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines.
Brady’s executor, Robin Makin, has said there was ‘no likelihood’ that Brady’s ashes would be spread on Saddleworth Moor, but has refused to say what he intends to do with them if allowed custody.
The judge, who made it clear that he had no doubt that Mr Makin could be trusted, said that the whole matter had ‘simply gone on far too long.’
He was satisfied that it was ‘both necessary and expedient’ for it to be taken out of Mr Makin’s hands, if the body was to be disposed of ‘quickly, lawfully and decently.’
He said: “Taking into account all the competing positions, the overwhelming factor in this case is the public interest. The deceased’s wishes are relevant, but they do not outweigh the need to avoid justified public indignation and actual unrest.”
An officer of Tameside council had said they would arrange the disposal of the ashes. The judge said he was satisfied that was the best proposal.
The judge refused to allow the playing of the fifth movement of Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique Dream of the Night of the Sabbath during the cremation as Mr Makin requested.
He said: “I have no difficulty in understanding how legitimate offence would be caused to the families of the deceased’s victims once it became known that this movement had been played at his cremation. I decline to permit it.
“It was not suggested by Mr Makin the deceased had requested any other music to be played or any other ceremony to be performed, and in those circumstances, I propose to direct there be no music and no ceremony.”
In a statement Tameside council said: “Tameside and Oldham councils sought the assistance of the High Court to ensure the body of ‘Moors Murderer’ Ian Stewart Brady is disposed of in a manner that does not cause offence and distress to the public, and the relatives of the victims in our boroughs.
“We know the relatives and residents alike found even the suggestion his ashes may be scattered over Saddleworth Moor to be abhorrent and distressing, especially because 13-yearold Keith Bennett has never been found, despite his mother’s best efforts to locate him to give him a proper burial.
“The court supported our duty as local authorities to ensure that public order is maintained and the wishes of the families of his victims and our local communities are respected to ensure Ian Stewart Brady’s body and remains are disposed of expediently in a manner compatible with the public interest and those of the victims’ relatives.”