Brady’s letter-storm brief by killer’s side

The woman arrested last year amid accusations of covering up the burial place of Ian brady victim Keith Bennet is current sitting-in on the child killer’sprison-move tribunal.

Brady’s confidante Jackie Powell, who acts as the child killer’s mental health advocate, is assisting his legal team during his bid to be transferred from a maximum security hospital to prison, where he believes it will be easier to end his life.

Last year she was arrested on suspicion of preventing a lawful burial, over claims she failed to tell police about a letter that may have revealed where Keith Bennett was buried in the 1960s.

She revealed that Brady had given her a sealed envelope to pass to Keith’s mother Winnie Johnson in the event of his death. Mrs Johnson died soon after the programme was broadcast, last August..

In February, the Crown Prosecution Service exonerated Ms Powell, accepting she didn’t know what the sealed letter said.

Brady (75) was seen chatting to Ms Powell on several occasions during the tribunal as he read through case papers.

Tribunal judge Robert Atherton has since confirmed her presence to assist Brady’s legal team. “She is not here as a friend,” he added. She will not give evidence.

Brady’s lawyers have continued to question Dr James Collins, the doctor in charge of his care at Ashworth.

Mr Collins said Brady has refused medication and therapy since 2000 as he is “wholly resistant”, but that he would relapse into greater schizophrenia if returned to jail.

“We can label them how we will, I think you have to look at the overall picture and say, ‘This fellow needs to be in hospital’.”

The hearing continues.