William Dunlop, a murderer convicted under a reformed double jeopardy law, has made another bid for release. He strangled 22-year-old Julie Hogg in Billingham, County Durham, in 1989 and hid her body beneath a bath. Two trials in 1991 ended with hung juries. While serving a sentence for another crime, he confessed to the murder, believing he could not be retried. Following a campaign by Ms Hogg's family, the law was changed, and Dunlop was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years in 2006.
Previous Parole Attempts
Dunlop's latest application to the Parole Board could see him released by Christmas. A two-day public hearing is set for October 21 and 22. This is not his first attempt: in 2019, parole chiefs considered moving him to an open prison but did not recommend it. In September 2022, after his minimum term expired, the board recommended a transfer to open conditions, but then-Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis blocked it in October 2022. In November 2024, a two-day hearing by video link saw Dunlop admit his confession was "selfish" and not to help Ms Hogg's family. He said he "wrongly" thought confessing would "free" him and help him get help for violence in his head. He acknowledged that he had lied for years with "great difficulty." The board again recommended open prison, but then-Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood blocked the move, despite a low risk of absconding.
Upcoming Hearing
October's hearing will be Dunlop's fourth appearance before parole chiefs. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Julie Hogg's murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with her friends and family. Public protection is our number one priority which is why we have blocked William Dunlop's transfer to open prison."
