Double murderer suffers broken ankle in bingo row

Police are investigating an assault on double murderer Gresham Marsh after he was allegedly assaulted by another inmate at Rangipo Prison.

The Herald revealed this week that Marsh was offered more than $20,000 from the Salvation Army for abuse he allegedly suffered as a child, and he had written a letter from prison threatening to sue his family and victim support lobby group Sensible Sentencing.

Marsh is serving a life sentence with accomplice Leith Ray for the 1994 murders of elderly Waikato couple John and Josie Harrisson.

Marsh and Ray are due before the parole board in September.

Constable Guy Callahan of Turangi said Marsh had laid an assault complaint with police. The alleged assault happened on Friday night after an argument broke out between Marsh and another inmate during a bingo game.

Mr Callahan said Marsh suffered a broken ankle and bruising, and it was likely one inmate would face some form of assault charge.

He said police had not established the reason for the fight but Herald sources said other inmates were annoyed that Marsh had been speaking out about alleged abuse, and the threatening letter.

The payout he received from the Salvation Army for abuse he allegedly suffered as a 10-year-old while in Hodderville Boys Home in Putaruru has also angered Sensible Sentencing spokesman Garth McVicar.

Mr McVicar said any money Marsh received should have repaid legal aid.

Part of the $21,125 compensation offered was to go towards Marsh's counselling, removing his tattoos, and changing his name by deed poll.

Mr McVicar said Marsh should not be allowed to change his name.

He said the Salvation Army had received huge amounts of public support over the years, including donations from Sensible Sentencing, but the trust would not part with another dollar following the revelation.

Meanwhile, Hamilton police crime services manager, Inspector Pete Devoy, said he had been forwarded a file on Marsh detailing a number of allegations of historic abuse Marsh claims he was subjected to.

Mr Devoy said police would review the information and then make a decision on whether the abuse claims would be investigated.