New parole review for killer on the cards

DOUBLE jeopardy killer Billy Dunlop is set to face another parole review, The Gazette has learned.

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed Dunlop's case will be referred from the department again to the Parole Board, "in line with the statutory requirements".

The news comes just five months after a previous bid to move to open prison conditions was blocked by former Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

A date for a potential hearing has not been set and the Parole Board told The Gazette the case has not yet been referred to them. However, it is believed a parole dossier is now being prepared by Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service.

A hearing would then be held by the Parole Board, potentially in public, to decide whether the murderer is safe to be moved to a lower security jail or released from prison.

Meanwhile, his victim's mother and son, Ann Ming and Kevin Hogg, are set to meet with the new Secretary of State for Justice, and Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, on October 28 to discuss their concerns over the parole process.

Dunlop's minimum tariff of 17 years expired in 2021 and he is eligible for parole review every two years.

He has now served 19 years behind bars for the brutal murder of Billingham mum Julie Hogg.

He strangled the 22-year-old to death in November 1989 and hid her mutilated body behind a bath panel in her own home.

However, he would not be brought to justice for the horrific crime for another 17 years.

The killer was charged with murder but two juries failed to reach a verdict.