A racist murderer serving a life sentence at a north-east superjail yesterday failed in his attempt to sue the prison governor over the use of his sex aid.
Imran “Baldy” Shahid, who was locked up in 2004 for the brutal killing of 15-year-old Kriss Donald, took Peterhead’s HMP Grampian to court earlier this year in the hope that his penis pump would be returned.
The brutal killer claimed he needed the device, which was taken away from him when prison chiefs questioned its purpose, to treat erectile dysfunction.
But the court dismissed his claim yesterday after neither he nor doctors could prove he had the condition.
The case had been deferred in October to give Shahid and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) a chance to provide evidence to support their arguments.
And yesterday a report from a doctor – identified only as Dr MacRitchie – was produced. The doctor said he was unable to prove that Shahid had erectile dysfunction. Previous medical professionals had advised prison staff that the pump could cause harm and suggested alternate treatments.
Shahid, however, said he suffered from “serious” side effects whenever he took Viagra, including chest pains and blurred vision. Despite this, the pump will not be returned.
In a separate case which called at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday, Shahid also failed to convince the courts that the SPS had illegally removed an Xbox 360 games console from his cell. Shahid, who brought a copy of the Gemell Records magazine from which he bought the device from to court, argued that the jail’s governor, Allister Purdie, had breached a contract between the two which allowed him to have the machine on the understanding it could not not connect to the internet.
It was removed, however, when fears were raised that it would be feasible for its connectivity to be turned back on. Sheriff Kevin Drummond rejected Shahid’s bid for either stimulation device, but said the killer was owed “reasonable compensation” because he had bought the console while locked up.
He said: “Mr Shahid lawfully purchased and possessed a device which the SPS later confiscated as a communications device.
“I am going to pause the case to enable you to provide to the governor evidence of your costs.
“I think that you are entitled to compensation under these circumstances.”
Shahid had originally wanted £3,000 in damages for the machine, which he said he bought alongside games for £1,600. Critics have now accused the killer of trying to take the public purse “for a ride”.
Shahid, who was the ringleader of a gang that snatched Glasgow boy Kriss Donald of the street before stabbing him 13 times and setting him on fire, claimed he was being persecuted in jail as a result of his legal challenges.
“I’ve been put through a lot of grievances off the back of this,” he said.
“I’ve had further property taken off me, and been falsely accused of assault. All because I had the audacity to take the SPS to court.”
He added that his health and life was “at risk” without the pump.
Solicitor Ross Fairweather, acting on behalf of the SPS, said Shahid had been given opportunities to move the console on to a family member or friend to sell on the outside.
He added: “We’re not talking about depriving someone of food. There are plenty of games consoles Mr Shahid can use, the prison is just saying not this one – the risks are far too grave.”
Another hearing will take place in the new year to determine what amount of compensation Shahid is owed.
Last night, Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, said: “The public will be outraged and disappointed that a convicted killer was able to pursue the prison service for doing its job.
“These items should be left in a box, until such a time as he has served out his sentence. Prisoners are not meant to live in luxury. Asking for compensation is nothing short of taking the justice system, and the public purse, for a ride.”
