HMP Manchester prisoner Stuart Horner's roof protest goes on

Stuart Horner was jailed for life in 2012

Convicted murderer Stuart Horner has begun a third night on the roof of HMP Manchester in a one-man protest over jail conditions.

The Prison Service said 60 prisoners had been transferred to other jails as a result of damage caused by the 35-year-old, who has smashed windows.

Negotiators remain at the scene, a spokesman said.

Horner, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, was jailed for life in 2012 for the murder of his uncle during a family feud.

'No snatch attempt'

He has caused thousands of pounds of damage to the Victorian jail by pulling up metal roof trusses and using them to smash a series of large skylight windows and attack CCTV security cameras.

Inside, yells of support from fellow inmates and the barking of police dogs have been heard.

Prison and court visits are continuing as normal at HMP Manchester, formerly known as Strangeways

Prison officials have used a fire brigade cherry picker crane to reach the roof and try to talk Horner down since he began his protest on Sunday afternoon.

It is understood to be too dangerous for prison or police officers to attempt to snatch him from the roof and the situation will only be resolved when he chooses to come down.

Roads closed

A spokesman for the Prison Service said prison and court visits were continuing as normal.

Horner faces punishment for breaking prison rules and possible prosecution for criminal damage when he eventually ends his protest.

Latest Ministry of Justice figures show it costs about £40,000 a year to keep life prisoners like Horner in HMP Manchester.

Built in 1868, with a central rotunda and radial wings, it houses about 1,200 inmates.

A number of roads have been closed while the protest takes place, including Southall Street, Sherborne Street and Empire Street.