A JAILED child rapist tried to kill his cellmate with a pillow because he was sick of his “farting, coughing and snoring”.
Christopher Sweeney leapt off the top bunk of their bed at HMP Nottingham because he could not get to sleep.
The 44-year-old then forcefully held the pillow over Martin Whittle’s face for a minute before the victim managed to fight him off.
When prison staff found out about the attack, Sweeney admitted “yeah, it’s all true”, Derby Telegraph reports.
The thug has now been jailed for 18 years for attempted murder and a string of other offences relating to previous incidents.
Sentencing, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said: “You were unrepentant and told people you wanted him dead.
“You said he was ‘a farting, snoring and coughing horrible man’.
“You were completely candid and frank with the police and in the course of the inquiries you disclosed other offences which otherwise might not have been detected.”
Nottingham Crown Court heard Sweeney was originally locked up in 2003 for raping a boy under the age of 16.
He had shared the cell with Whittle, 72, for just eight days when he flipped out.
Sweeney first told the victim: “If you wake me up again, you will be sorry.”
Prosecutor Katrina Wilson said Whittle was trying to stay quiet but was sleeping on a “noisy air mattress”.
She added: “At around 7am, the defendant jumped down from the top bunk, spun around and placed his pillow over Mr Whittle’s face.
“He held it there forcefully for around a minute, and after a struggle, Mr Whittle was able to push him away.
“The defendant sat down and asked if he could have a go on his vape, saying ‘I guess you are going to tell the officers?’ to which Mr Whittle replied ‘you’ll have to wait and see’.”
The court heard Sweeney later admitted he had tried to kill his cellmate because of his “farting, coughing and snoring”.
He was also captured on police bodycam footage saying: “I want him dead.”
Sweeney has 37 previous court appearances for 71 offences, including wounding, arson, robbery and burglary.
He has at least 16 convictions for breaching the terms of the sex offender register and has spent the majority of the past 23 years behind bars.
Detective Constable Natalie Gooderham, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Sweeney is a persistent and dangerous offender, and from his own admissions he clearly planned the attack.
“However, thanks to the victim fighting for his survival, Sweeney’s plan failed.
“From his initial police interview to today, he has shown no concern or remorse for his actions.
“I hope the victim can take some comfort from the fact Sweeney will now spend an extended period of time being bars.”
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