William Dunlop, 63, is bidding to be released from prison as a parole hearing begins in London on Wednesday, October 21. Dunlop has spent more than two decades in prison for killing 22-year-old mum Julie Hogg in 1989.
Since his 17-year minimum tariff expired in September 2021, Dunlop has had four parole reviews. Members of Julie's family, the Justice Secretary and ChronicleLive's sister publication, TeessideLive were among those requesting his next oral hearing again be held in public.
Dunlop was 26 when he strangled Julie to death in November 1989, hiding her body behind a bath panel at her home on Grange Avenue in Billingham.
Background to the hearing
Nick Coleman, the chairman of the panel, is reading through the background of the case. Mr Dunlop was born in March 1963 and is now 63 years old.
Mr Coleman said: "On 16 November 1989 he murdered a lady called Julie Hogg by strangling her. After her death he mistreated her body before hiding it behind the panel of a bath in her home. The body was not discovered until February 5, 1990. Thereafter, in 1991, Mr Dunlop stood trial twice for her murder. On each occasion Mr Dunlop gave evidence, denying the offence. On each occasion the jury could not come to a decision."
Following the second disagreement, the prosecution offered no evidence and he was formally acquitted and released.
Opening remarks and process
Nick Coleman is outlining how the panel will come to a decision. He said this is not a re-sentencing hearing, nor is it in any way a retrial. "As a matter of record the last two reviews of your case by different panels of the Parole Board concluded that your risk could be managed in the open estate. The Secretary of State rejected those recommendations - as he was entitled to do so under our law."
This is now the 10th public hearing of a panel of the Parole Board. It is the second of Dunlop's parole hearings to take place in public. Dunlop has not objected to having the hearing held in public.
Dean Kingham is representing Dunlop. He says the prisoner is making an application for release. Mr Dunlop does not wish to be seen and he sits with his back to the camera. The Secretary of State is represented by Counsel Thomas Jones, who is instructed by Kath Stokes.
Victim impact statements
Two members of Julie Hogg's family provided victim impact statements which have been heard in private. At the request of Kevin Hogg, he read out his victim personal statement in public.
Mr Hogg says since the last hearing, the Parole Board has made three recommendations for open conditions and three Justice Ministers have rejected these. He said Dunlop's application would undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system. "Why are we continuing with these recurring traumatic experiences for such hearings."
Citing the previous refusals despite the parole board's recommendation, Mr Hogg said: "This is what is meant by the loved ones of the victims of murder and manslaughter when they say, 'It is us that have been given the life sentence.'"
Speaking for himself, Kevin Hogg said: "I can state categorically that time isn't the great healer it is reputed to be. As the years pass, the pain of losing my mother to this murderer remains acute. I have lost much to this crime and his evil actions. I have lost the ability to experience joy. I have lost the ability to maintain lasting relationships. The anguish he has caused, simply cannot be measured nor indeed put down on paper. He persecuted us for many years from his prison cell and continues to do so whilst the CJS allows this to happen."
Talking about the impact, Mr Hogg says his physical and mental health has suffered and he often doesn't get more than four hours sleep per night. He said: "It is impossible to measure the impact that this crime has had on my life, I can only hope that these words allow the listeners to glean a partial understanding of it."
