William 'Billy' Dunlop, the murderer of Julie Hogg, has had his transfer to an open prison blocked by the Justice Secretary, despite a Parole Board recommendation. Dunlop, who became the first person in the UK to be convicted of murder after previously being acquitted under the old double jeopardy law, has been in custody since 2006.
Dunlop killed 22-year-old Julie Hogg in 1989, hiding her body behind a bath panel in her own home. After two trials failed to reach a verdict, he was acquitted. However, while imprisoned for a separate assault, he confessed to the murder, leading to a landmark change in the law of double jeopardy in 2003.
Ann Ming, Julie's mother, campaigned tirelessly for the law to be changed, allowing retrials in serious cases if new compelling evidence emerges. Dunlop was subsequently retried, pleaded guilty, and received a minimum sentence of 17 years for murder.
At a parole hearing in December 2024, Dunlop described himself as 'a violent, hideous, uncaring person' and said the murder was driven by 'rejection-fuelled anger'. The Parole Board recommended his transfer to an open prison, but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood blocked the move, citing public protection.
Julie's family expressed relief, stating that the decision 'truly put victims at the heart of the system' and was 'the right decision for public safety'. Dunlop remains in closed custody.
