The family of Julie Hogg, the Billingham woman strangled by William 'Billy' Dunlop in 1989, has accused the convicted murderer of "hoodwinking" the Parole Board as he seeks release. Dunlop, now 63, was not convicted until 2006, after Julie's mother Ann Ming and her family campaigned to change the "double jeopardy" law that prevented a second trial for the same crime.
Parole Hearing Evidence
On Wednesday, a Parole Board panel heard evidence from the community offender manager, prison offender manager and two psychologists, all of whom recommended Dunlop be released on licence. Two serving justice secretaries have previously blocked his release.
During the hearing, Dunlop claimed the recent death of his son meant he could now "empathise" with his victim's family, saying "I totally get it now". He also recounted having "euphoric feelings" for about 30 seconds after the killing before panicking about being caught. Asked if he intended to take Miss Hogg's life, Dunlop said he had done so because "you cannot strangle somebody and think you're not going to do that".
Family's Response
Ann Ming, 80, said she "wanted to scream" at Dunlop's comments and "I don't know how we kept it together". Julie's son Kevin, 40, said the family believes the "vicious, violent offender" should never be released, adding: "As a family we don't believe he should, but we have to accept he will."
Mr Hogg criticised Dunlop's emphasis on his bereavement as "scripted", saying: "He wasn't empathetic last year, 18 months ago, two years ago, but now he is. Ah, that's because I lost my son – 10 years ago you lost your father, were you empathetic then? Oh, no." He added: "He's comparing his grief to my nan's grief of losing her child – it's incomparable."
Decision Pending
The hearing concluded on Thursday, with a provisional decision due within 14 days. Mr Hogg said Dunlop is "hoodwinking the system" because he has "kept his head down" with no adjudications or altercations, and claimed Dunlop "manipulated the system for 20 years where he wasn't convicted". He added: "He might have hoodwinked you, might have hoodwinked the three people there (on the panel), but he won't us."
The family will spend the waiting weeks compiling evidence to present to Justice Secretary Alex Norris. Mrs Ming said line dancing has become a lifeline since she took it up after Dunlop's acquittal, saying: "I was in such a state mentally really… it gave me sort of like something to focus on – I like the music, I learned the steps, you have to concentrate… a couple of hours out the day." Mr Hogg said of Dunlop: "I give him very minimum headspace because if he consumes too much of my headspace, in my mind I feel as though he's won, and he's not going to beat me."
