Former Mr. Gay UK Jailed for Gruesome Murder and Cannibalism

In a case that has shocked the nation, Anthony Morley, the inaugural winner of the Mr. Gay UK pageant in 1993, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the brutal murder and cannibalism of Damian Oldfield in October 2008. The presiding judge, James Stewart, described the crime as one of the most horrific he had ever encountered, highlighting the grotesque nature of the act that unfolded in Morley’s Leeds home.

Morley, aged 36 at the time, met Oldfield, then 30, in 2007. Oldfield worked as an advertising salesperson for Bent, a publication catering to the gay community, as reported by The Mirror. Their relationship began with tentative exchanges, with Morley texting Oldfield, “Never been properly gay. Tried being bi, tried being straight, but never been a hundred per cent happy. Maybe one day I will find happiness.” These words, tinged with personal struggle, belie the horror that would later unfold.

On the night of the murder, the two men shared a meal prepared by Morley at his home and watched Brokeback Mountain, the 2005 film exploring a complex romantic relationship. What followed was a descent into unimaginable violence. In a frenzied attack, Morley slit Oldfield’s throat and dismembered his body with a knife. Police later discovered a nine-inch section of skin and tissue, including a nipple, cut from Oldfield’s chest, alongside an eight-inch piece from his thigh. Six pieces of cooked flesh, seasoned with herbs and olive oil, were found on a chopping board, with a chewed piece discarded in a kitchen bin bag.

Morley’s actions after the crime were equally chilling. Dressed in a blood-soaked bathrobe and sandals, he walked to a nearby takeaway restaurant and calmly asked staff to contact the police while he waited outside. Upon arrest, he claimed to officers that he had acted in self-defence, alleging Oldfield had attempted to assault him in bed. At the police station, Morley reportedly said, “I cooked him a nice meal. I said to take it slow, why did he do that?” His words, devoid of remorse, painted a disturbing picture of detachment.

Oldfield, the victim, had a brief moment in the public eye in 2001, appearing on the local dating show God’s Gift. Known for his flamboyant antics, he participated in quirky challenges, including eating whipped cream from a contestant’s navel and playing a flute with his nose. A recorded date after the show saw him perform a provocative act with a sausage, a detail that added a layer of complexity to his public persona.

The case has drawn attention for its sheer depravity, raising questions about mental health, personal identity, and the darker corners of human behaviour. This tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of human connections and the potential for violence to erupt in the most unexpected circumstances. As the nation grapples with the details of this case, it underscores the need for vigilance and robust responses to violent crime.