Former Radio 1 DJ Chris Denning’s Death in Custody
Chris Denning, a former BBC Radio 1 DJ with a history of child abuse convictions, has passed away while serving two 13-year prison sentences.
Denning was found guilty of sex offences against children as young as eight under Operation Yewtree.
His death, at the age of 81, occurred last June but has only recently come to light due to a report from the Prison and Probation Ombudsman.
Controversial Background
Chris Denning was a radio personality known for his “depraved” actions.
He exploited his fame as a BBC DJ to groom child victims, including holding a party at the home of notorious paedophile Jimmy Savile and introducing a 14-year-old to Gary Glitter.
He also operated computer game shops to attract boys for abuse.
Radio Career and Connections
Denning had a prominent career in the radio industry, working for Radio Luxembourg, where he interviewed The Beatles, and later joining the BBC.
He was one of the founding DJs on Radio 1 and was recognized as the first voice on BBC2. In his radio career, he was associated with other controversial figures in the industry.
Multiple Convictions
Over the years, Denning faced numerous convictions related to sexual offences and indecent acts.
His history includes convictions for gross indecency, indecent assault, and possessing indecent images. Despite his criminal record, he was invited to participate in a BBC Radio 1 anniversary reunion in 1997.
International Legal Troubles
Chris Denning’s legal troubles extended beyond the UK. He was prosecuted in Germany in 1959 for circulating pornographic images.
In the late 1990s, he moved to Prague, where he faced allegations of running a paedophile ring. He was convicted of abusing boys under 15 in that case.
Extradition Attempts and Continued Offences
Various attempts were made to extradite Denning from different countries. In 2005, he was tracked down in Austria and deported to England.
He was sentenced to jail in both the UK and Slovakia for offences related to child abuse and indecent images.
Operation Yewtree Conviction
In 2014, Denning was convicted of 40 offences against 24 boys aged between nine and 16 under Operation Yewtree. He had introduced some of his victims to Jimmy Savile and even abused one boy at Savile’s home.
Judge Alistair McCreath described him as “utterly depraved” and sentenced him to 13 years.
Health Issues and End-of-Life Care
By 2021, Chris Denning was suffering from multiple health issues, including Parkinson’s Disease, diabetes, and heart abnormalities.
He decided not to be resuscitated in case of emergencies.
He eventually passed away from a bone infection caused by diabetes in June 2022 while in custody.
Concerns About Care in Custody
A clinical reviewer for the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman identified issues in Denning’s end-of-life care, noting that he was not transferred to the hospital for treatment when clinical readings indicated the need for emergency care.
The care provided to him while in custody was found to be subpar, even in comparison to what he might have received as a free man.
In summary, Chris Denning’s death in prison brings an end to the life of a notorious paedophile and former BBC Radio 1 DJ with a history of child abuse convictions.
His case has raised concerns about the quality of care in custody for individuals with severe health conditions.
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