A man who was jailed for the brutal murder of a gay man in Ipswich has died.

Mark Keegan who was jailed for life in 1997 after being convicted of murdering Derek Fisher died in hospital of multiorgan failure. 

Keegan alongside Daren Newland were jailed for life at Norwich Crown Court after Fisher suffered 43 separate head wounds. 

During the case, Mr Justice Irwin said Mr Fisher, who had met the pair in an Ipswich pub, died after inviting them back to his nearby flat for a drink, unwittingly triggering an onslaught of violence that ended in his death on February 7, 1997.

Mr Fisher had previously met Newland "casually" in the same pub, although Keegan was unknown to him.

The court heard that after his death Fisher's chest was stamped on and five ribs fractured, with 22 stab wounds also inflicted on his stomach.

His abdomen was then ripped open with a pair of scissors.

Keegan denied all involvement in the murder, maintaining that he was a "horrified spectator" to the macabre crime. 

In 2013, Keegan was released from prison on a life licence but was subsequently recalled to prison and released several times after being convicted of further offences. 

In September 2020 Keegan was recalled for driving offences and was sent to HMP Norwich. 

On April 26, 2023, the 54-year-old was released from Highpoint Prison, Stradishall, to live at Lightfoot House Approved Premises, Fuschia Lane, Ipswich.

Adrian Usher, from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, said: "Mark Keegan died in hospital of multiorgan failure on June 1, 2023, while a resident at Lightfoot House Approved Premises.

"Mr Keegan had liver disease and advanced bladder cancer when he was released from HMP Highpoint to Lightfoot House on April 26, 2023.

"We found that the healthcare team at Highpoint ensured Mr Keegan was able to access healthcare services in the community and continue receiving treatment for bladder cancer upon his release."