‘Psycho’ killer paints Corrie jail mural

A Coronation Street-loving “Psycho” killer has painted a life-size mural of the Rovers Return on prison walls in homage to his favourite soap.

Kiaran Stapleton, 23, who murdered Indian student Anuj Bidve in an unprovoked attack, has spent hours lovingly adorning the walls of the Special Intervention Unit at Strangeways jail in Manchester with a copy of the show’s famous pub.

But his artwork has sparked outrage from some who say Stapleton, who blasted Mr Bidve in the head from point blank range, should not be allowed to pursue “hobbies” while serving a life sentence.

A source at Strangeways said Stapleton, a category A “lifer”, has a talent for art and has spent hours painstakingly painting the mural of the pub from his favourite TV show.

Stapleton was jailed in 2012 for the murder of Mr Bidve on Boxing Day, 2011.

Mr Bidve, studying engineering at Lancaster University, was with friends stopping in Manchester to visit the Christmas sales.

He was walking to the shops through inner-city Ordsall, Salford, where Stapleton lived, when he came across the killer.

Stapleton, a stranger to him, walked up to him, asked the time then shot him in the head for no apparent reason.

Days later Stapleton had a “teardrop” tattoo below his right eye — a gang sign that he had taken a life.

The killer was arrested and gave his name as “Psycho Stapleton” when he appeared in court.