The murderer who brutally killed a young police worker in a shocking hammer attack has been back on the streets, it has been revealed.
Thug Craig Belcher has been spending time in the community, walking the streets on day release. But at a hearing last month, parole officers refused the notorious killer a full release due to concerns with his behaviour, instead ordering him to remain at an open prison.
Humberside Police civilian worker Kirsty Carver was murdered in a horrific hammer attack at a petrol station in Willerby, East Yorkshire. Belcher was jailed for 18 years in 1999 - 25 years ago this weekend, reports HullLive.
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Belcher has made repeated attempts to get a step closer to freedom, including a similar failed bid to be freed two years ago. But it can be revealed that he has spent time in open conditions, including temporary release. The Parole Board has now stopped short of releasing Belcher and felt it was not safe enough to let him be managed back in the community.
Belcher, who had been serving a life sentence at Frankland Prison in Durham before his move to open prison, has never given any explanation for Kirsty's horrific murder which may be one reason he has remained in prison for six years since being eligible for parole.
22-year-old Kirsty, who worked at Queens Gardens police station in the city centre, disappeared on March 5, 1998, after leaving a friend's house in Wold Road at 1.40am. Her Toyota Celica was discovered, unlocked, with the keys in the ignition on a quiet farm track near Willerby.
Her parents Vanessa and Arthur made a number of emotional appeals for information and Vanessa wrote a heartfelt open letter in the Hull Daily Mail, calling in vain for her daughter's safe return. Almost 3,500 people joined a search for her near the Humber Bridge.
Police dogs and handlers discovered Kirsty's half-buried body during a search with the Army at isolated Spurn Point just over a month after her abandoned car was found. It was later revealed Kirsty had gone to the petrol station in Willerby and it was there Belcher murdered her after luring or forcing her into a back room. It is though Belcher attacked her with a hammer. The pair had never met.
Belcher refused to admit guilt, despite his absurd and contradictory version of events being discredited during his trial at Sheffield Crown Court. To this day, Kirsty's family do not know what led to her death. He was handed a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 18 years. The parole board confirmed in October 2019 that Belcher was now eligible for parole.
Killer Belcher's 'lack of empathy'
Now it seems that Belcher is close to release. At last month's parole hearing were Belcher’s probation officer based in the community, the official supervising his case in prison and a psychologist employed by the prison service. Belcher indicated, through his legal representative, that he hoped to be released as a result of the Parole Board review.
The panel also had the benefit of a victim personal statement which conveyed the impact of Belcher’s crimes and the consequences of his offending. Its contents were considered carefully by the panel members.
The Parole Board Summary says: “Having considered the index offences and the other evidence before it, the panel listed as risk factors those influences which made it more likely that Mr Belcher would reoffend.
“At the time of his offending, these risk factors had included Mr Belcher’s way of life, his outlook and his associates. He had looked for excitement but could be easily led and he had not maintained steady relationships.
“There had been concerns about his emotional wellbeing and lack of empathy for other people. A deeper understanding of Mr Belcher’s triggers and risk areas had been hampered by his accounts of the index offence changing over time.”
Despite these concerns, Belcher has behaved well in prison and engaged with the programmes offered to help rehabilitate him.
The summary said: “His behaviour in prison had been good and he had engaged with the staff supervising him. He had undertaken an accredited programme to address decision making and better ways of thinking and had completed a motivational training course.
“Mr Belcher had had the benefit of educational and vocational training and had engaged with specialist teams in the prison. The Secretary of State had accepted an earlier Parole Board recommendation that Mr Belcher should transfer to open conditions. He had done so in April 2021 and had recently successfully completed temporary releases from prison.
“In this case, protective factors which would reduce the risk of reoffending were considered to be the support he could expect from some family members and evident developments in his coping and self-control.”
Not ready for release
Despite some reassurances, the board did not feel Belcher is ready to be released fully into the community.
The summary says: “The panel examined the release plan provided by Mr Belcher’s probation officer and weighed its proposals against assessed risks. The plan included a requirement to reside in designated accommodation with additional support as well as very strict limitations on Mr Belcher’s contacts, movements and activities. The panel concluded this plan was robust but not yet ready to manage Mr Belcher safely in the community.
“However, on considering the criteria for recommending placement in open conditions, the panel recommended that Mr Belcher should remain in this location. It is now for the Secretary of State to decide whether he accepts the Parole Board’s recommendation. Mr Belcher will be eligible for another parole review in due course.”
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