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Killer not safe for open prison - victim's mum

Stuart Whincup & Duncan Leatherdale
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
Cleveland Police Old mugshot of Dunlop. He has short curly ginger hair and a moustache.Cleveland Police
William Dunlop murdered Julie Hogg in 1989 but was only jailed in 2006

The family of a murdered woman say her killer is not safe to be moved to an open prison.

William Dunlop was jailed in 2006 for the 1989 murder of Julie Hogg, 22, after her family successfully campaigned for a change in the so-called double jeopardy law.

The Parole Board has recommended Dunlop be moved to open conditions, with a decision to be made by the Justice Secretary.

Ms Hogg's mother Ann Ming said she feared he was still dangerous and the Parole Board had fallen for his "lies" about being a reformed character.

Dunlop strangled Ms Hogg and hid her body beneath the bath at her home in Billingham, County Durham in November 1989, with Ms Ming discovering her three months later.

He was twice acquitted in the 1990s and, due to the double jeopardy law, was unable to be prosecuted again, despite later making issions to a prison guard that he was guilty.

Family handout Julie Hogg smiles at the camera. She is wearing a fancy white dress and white crown atop her short thick dark hair.Family handout
Julie Hogg was 22 when Dunlop killed her

Ms Ming successfully campaigned for the law to be changed so her daughter's killer could finally face justice, which he did when he was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years in 2006 after itting murder.

The Parole Board heard Dunlop had committed other violent offences and he itted to the he could have gone on to kill other people had he not been incarcerated.

But he claimed he had changed in prison and the concluded he should be moved to an open prison.

Ms Ming and her grandson, Ms Hogg's son Kevin Hogg, attended public hearings of the Parole Board in December and said he should remain in maximum-security detention.

Ann and Kevin sit side by side on a sofa. She has short blond hair and is wearing a black jacket over a white floral shirt. He has short dark hair, is clean shaven and is wearing glasses, a blue and white check shirt, black jumper and navy padded coat.
Ann Ming and Kevin Hogg said Dunlop should not be moved

Ms Ming told the BBC she felt "deflated" about the recommendation and "just couldn't believe [the ] could fall for" his claims of being reformed.

She said he was "very cute" and "cunning", adding: "If you don't know how evil he is, you believe what he says.

"I don't believe one word he says.

"I definitely do not think he will ever be safe to come out into the community.

"I really fear for another family having to go through what we have gone through because of Dunlop's behaviour."

Ms Ming said Dunlop "bragged" in pubs about murdering Ms Hogg and almost killed other people in attacks in the years afterwards.

"This is someone who the Parole Board think is safe":[]}