‘Uniquely evil’ killer Brady’s funeral music wishes denied
Judge: Decision on disposal of ashes will not be made by solicitor
“Uniquely evil” Ian Brady has been denied his last request for music at his cremation.
The body of the Glasgowborn Moors murderer, who died in May aged 79, will be disposed of with “no music and no ceremony”, the Chancellor of the High Court, Sir Geoffrey Vos, ruled yesterday.
He said it was clear that there was real and genuine public anger and distress about what might happen to the remains of Brady – previously described by law lord Lord Steyn as “uniquely evil”.
The families of Brady’s victims might well be offended by an insensitive disposal and there was a public interest in ensuring it did not create unrest or disorder, Sir Geoffrey said. Brady and Myra Hindley, who died in prison in 2002, tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s. Four of the victims were found buried on Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines.
Brady’s executor, solicitor 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 the remains 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 the decision to be taken out of Mr Makin’s hands.
He said: “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 Metropolitan Borough Council had said she would arrange the disposal of the ashes and he was satisfied that was the best proposal available.
In the public redacted version of his judgment, the judge concluded: “I will therefore direct under Section 116 that [Redacted]shallbeappointed as administrator of the estate of the deceased for the limited purpose of disposing of the body of the deceased in the following manner.”
The judge also refused to allow the playing of the fifth movement of Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique – known as Dream of the Night of the Sabbath – during the cremation as Mr Makin had requested.
Sir Geoffrey 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.”
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