Gay-Bashing Murderers Register for Britain’s First Gay Marriage Behind Bars

Two convicted murderers serving life-terms are set to marry in the UK’s first gay marriage behind bars. Both were jailed after targeting and killing gay men.

Mikhail Ivan Gallatinov, 40, was jailed in 1997 for the “cold blooded” murder of 28-year-old gay man Adrian Kaminsky, who he strangled to death. He has registered to marry fellow prisoner Marc Goodwin, 31, who was convicted in 2007 for beating to death Malcolm Benfold, 57, the Daily Mail has reported.

The jury at Goodwin’s trial heard how he and two friends had agreed to go “gay bashing”, and had roamed the streets of Blackpool looking for a gay man to target, although he has since expressed remorse to his victim’s sister. “He said he was really sorry and wished there was still the death penalty as he would be dead too,” she recounted. He is expected to serve at least another ten years behind bars.

The couple have been given official permission to wed at HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire, and notice of the marriage has been posted at the nearest registry office in the town of Beverley, not far from the prison. On the document, both men list their occupations as “bar staff”. No details of the wedding ceremony have been announced.

Gallatinov had previously served time for the sexual abuse of children before attacking Mr Kaminsky. Remarkably, he was actually under police surveillance at the time of the murder and had even told one undercover officer that he intended to commit murder. Officers were stationed outside his house as the murder was taking place, and Gallatinov took photos of his victim using a camera leant to him by a detective.

Gallatinov spoke to Kaminsky on a gay chat line, luring him to his home so that he could commit the murder. He was later found on the motorway with Kaminsky’s nearly naked body in the boot of his car. Judge Rhys Davies QC, sentencing Gallatinov, described the murder as “a cold-blooded, well planned, callous, chilling and apparently motiveless killing.”

He told Gallatinov: “You are a dangerous young man and you present a considerable risk to the public,” adding “The defendant acted without pity, concern or remorse. He was described by one of the psychiatrists as a dangerous man. He does not suffer from mental illness but is wholly devoid of moral judgment.”

Gallatinov was sentanced for a minimum of 20 years, meaning that he will be eligible for parole in two years’ time.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman commented: “Prisoners are entitled to apply to be married in prison under the Marriages Act 1983. This would take place at no cost to the taxpayer and there is no possibility that they would share a cell.”