Gay murderers hold first same-sex wedding behind bars
The UK’s first same-sex wedding behind bars has taken place – after a murderer and paedophile tied the knot.
Mikhail Gallatinov, 40, and Marc Goodwin, 31, are both currently serving life sentences for murder at the maximum-security HM Prison Full Sutton, in Yorkshire.
Gallatinov was jailed in 1997 for murdering 28-year-old Adrian Kaminsky. Goodwin was jailed in 2007, for the murder of Malcolm Benfold, 57.
The pair, who met in prison, reportedly married on Friday in a short, 20-minute ceremony attended by four family members.
The ceremony took place at no cost to the taxpayer, with the men exchanging rings purchased from a mail-order catalogue.
The pair claim they are “soul partners” and will be “forever together”.
The pair’s unconventional marriage comes despite Goodwin’s conviction for a “gay bashing” murder, and despite Gallatinov being labelled a “predatory paedophile”.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “We are very clear that if prisoners do get married, the taxpayer does not foot the bill for the ceremony and they are certainly not allowed to share a cell.”
Prisoners, gay and straight, are entitled to apply to be married in prison under the Marriages Act 1983.
Charles O’Neill and William Lauchlan, who were convicted for the 1997 murder of Allison McGarrigle, say their human rights are being violated because they are held in separate prisons and are not allowed to contact each other.
