A judge has said extra jail time handed to convicted killer Kane Hull this week should serve as a lesson that criminals cannot commit offences in prison with impunity.
Hull, 30, received a life sentence late last year after being convicted with another man of murdering Ryan Kirkpatrick, who was brutally stabbed in front of witnesses in Carlisle in September, 2021.
Hull was sentenced by a judge who branded him an assassin and ordered him to serve a minimum term of 28 years behind bars before being considered for parole.
But just days before he was due to stand trial at the city’s crown court, while on remand in custody, Hull orchestrated a revenge arson plot involving a former partner and her family.
Using illegally held micro-sized mobile phones, Hull sent a string of chilling texts to the woman and her relatives, having become increasingly possessive and angry about her failure to contact him and explain her movements.
In text traffic later obtained by detectives, Hull also communicated with Carlisle man Steven Kidd who, on October 3, torched a car belonging to the woman’s father.
Both Hull and Kidd admitted conspiracy to commit arson. Hull also pleaded guilty to possessing prohibited items in prison.
Kidd was jailed for 37 months while Hull was handed a 30-month sentence.
Prosecutor Tim Evans had suggested during the sentencing hearing that a consecutive term of imprisonment should be tacked on Hull’s existing 28-year term.
This, he said, would help to ensure that additional serious criminal activity does not go “unmarked or unpunished by the courts”.
After hearing submissions, Judge Nicholas Barker agreed and directed that 15 months of Hull’s latest sentence should be served consecutively.
Judge Barker told Hull: “You present a very particular difficulty. I have to bear in mind you are serving a life sentence. This means it is quite possible that you will never be released. That is a determination of the parole board.
“I have considered whether it is proportionate to add to the duration of time before you can apply for parole.
“On the one hand there are many matters to consider. In 28 years’ time — or 27 and some months — you will be a very different person. You will be a changed person and time will have passed. However, on the other hand this is very serious offending and from prison.
“I consider there must be some additional punishment to at the very least enforce the message that you and others in your position cannot commit offences in prison with impunity.“
