UK’s first ever public parole hearing postponed due to new ‘compelling evidence’

Russell Causley was handed a life sentence for killing Carole Packman, pictured right here with their daughter Sam (Image: PA)

The primary public parole listening to in UK historical past has been delayed after proof emerged of a ‘lengthy marketing campaign’ that put the prisoner’s security in danger.

Russell Causley, who murdered his spouse in 1985, was to have his bid for an early launch from jail thought of tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the case has been postponed to make sure a ‘truthful listening to for all events’.

It was set to be the primary listening to of its type which might not be held behind closed doorways after modifications within the regulation.

In response to the Parole Board, judges set to contemplate the case ‘very just lately obtained compelling proof that a lengthy marketing campaign has been undertaken not solely to undermine Mr Causley’s danger administration plan but additionally his private security’.

It's prone to be a while earlier than a brand new date is about and, consequently, a distinct prisoner might develop into the primary in historical past to be the topic of a public parole listening to.

Now 79, Causley was handed a life sentence for killing Carole Packman who disappeared in 1985 – a yr after he moved his lover into their dwelling in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Causley was free of jail in 2020, after serving greater than 23 years for the homicide, however was despatched again to jail in November final yr after breaching his licence circumstances.

Russell Causley was to develop into the primary prisoner to have a public parole board listening to (Image: PA)

He has by no means revealed the placement of Ms Packman’s physique.

Their daughter, Samantha Gillingham, who was 16 when her mom went lacking, has campaigned for years, alongside her son Neil, to maintain her father behind bars and for his case to be heard in public.

The Parole Board stated in an announcement: ‘The parole listening to within the case of Russell Causley, which was scheduled for October 6, has needed to be adjourned.

‘The panel has very just lately obtained compelling proof that a lengthy marketing campaign has been undertaken not solely to undermine Mr Causley’s danger administration plan but additionally his private security. Within the circumstances the panel has needed to adjourn the general public listening to in order to make sure it may be correctly managed in step with a good listening to for all events and the victims.

‘The Parole Board had dominated that this listening to could be held in public and could be the primary case to permit media and public to witness a parole evaluate. This ruling nonetheless stands and, as soon as a brand new date for the listening to in confirmed, those that registered to attend can be contacted with the main points.’

Parole Board paperwork revealed Causley didn't need the listening to to happen in public and had indicated he might not give proof if the appliance to take action was granted.

Causley initially evaded justice for the very best a part of a decade after the homicide by faking his personal loss of life as a part of an insurance coverage rip-off.

He was first convicted of homicide in 1996 however this was quashed by the Courtroom of Attraction in June 2003, and he then confronted a second trial for homicide and was once more discovered responsible.

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