Convicted rapist's case to be reviewed

The case of a convicted rapist who is currently on hunger strike, is to be reviewed by the High Court, it has today emerged.

Oswald Brown has embarked on a hunger strike, which has lasted for 54 days, in protest over what he claims to be a wrongful conviction.

On Tuesday, a judge ordered that Mr Brown be moved from prison to Belfast City hospital to be fed intravenously.

Doctors went to court saying that Brown had the right to make his own decisions, however the judge said that it was the hospital's duty to keep him alive.

Belfast City Hospital has since denied neglecting its duty of care by not feeding him.

The matter came before the court last week when the Secretary of State, Peter Hain applied for a declaration that prison officials could lawfully abstain from giving food to Brown.

Mr Brown, who was due to be released from prison on Monday, was given a six year jail sentence in 2001, on condition he serves a further two years probation on release.

(EF)