A notorious murderer who bludgeoned a respected doctor to death in one of Britain's most shocking crimes has been approved for transfer to an open prison, moving him closer to potential release under a new identity.
The Brutal 1990 Murder
In 1990, Reginald Wilson, then aged 26, carried out a sadistic attack that would become one of Britain's most infamous murders. Wilson tricked his way into the Middlesbrough home of Dr David Birkett, a 56-year-old consultant dermatologist and father-of-three, by pretending to be a motorcycle courier delivering a package.
Once inside the Linthorpe area property, Wilson launched a vicious assault, clubbing the respected doctor 17 times with a hammer. After beating Dr Birkett to the ground, Wilson dragged him into his study and subjected him to a second brutal attack. A post mortem examination confirmed the extensive injuries, and the presiding judge described the level of sadism as frightening.
Wilson, who had tattoos across his forehead reading 'psychopath' and 'chaos', was described by psychiatrists as a dangerous man who 'killed for the hell of it'. His one stated aim in life was to commit the perfect murder.
Criminal History and Imprisonment
Wilson was captured five months after the murder when police discovered his fingerprint at the crime scene. During a search of his home, authorities found a terrifying arsenal including a sawn-off shotgun, 73 cartridges, hammers, a crossbow, knives, knuckledusters and survival gear.
Evidence showed Wilson read and wrote poetry about death and killing, and he had told his girlfriend he intended to kill a policeman. He later admitted the murder had given him a 'buzz better than smack (heroin)'.
At his 1991 trial at Durham Crown Court, Wilson was sentenced to life imprisonment. As he was led down to the cells, he yelled: 'You may contain me but you will never control me.' His minimum tariff was later reduced to 30 years in 2008.
During his imprisonment, Wilson attempted to escape from Frankland Prison in Durham in 1996 and tried to stab a prison officer in 1999.
Controversial Parole Decision
Despite previous assessments describing Wilson as having an 'untreatable psychopathic disorder', the Parole Board has now directed his release to an open prison on life licence under his changed name, Reginald Zenshen.
This decision comes after Wilson's fourth appearance before the parole board. In 2023, the Conservative government had blocked Wilson's transfer to open conditions following a parole hearing the previous year, arguing it would put the public at risk. However, the High Court later found that decision, made by former justice secretary Dominic Raab, to be unlawful.
A Parole Board spokesperson stated: 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.'
Wilson will be subject to strict licence conditions including residing at a set address, disclosing any relationships, being subject to a curfew, drug testing, alcohol abstinence tagging, GPS tracking and having limited use of technology.
The decision has raised concerns, particularly given the warning issued by Cleveland Police detective sergeant Ray Morton at the time of Wilson's imprisonment: 'If he ever gets out I am sure that he will kill again.'
