Colchester mum: How can judge consider letting out Ann’s killer early?

Donald Mackay, from London, has been a high security prisoner since he was found guilty of murdering Ann Petherick in 1989 Ann’s mother Ida, of Exeter Drive, Colchester, has battled to prevent Mackay, who was sentenced to 44 years, from being let out earlier.

Mackay’s minimum 20-year sentence expired last year and his lawyers claim that because he continues to deny his crimes, he cannot prove to the Parole Board he is no longer a risk to society.

High Court judge, Mr Justice Bean, has ordered the board to give Mackay a full hearing of his application for a security downgrade – essential if he is ever to be released.

“I can’t believe it,” said Mrs Petherick. “After all that I have been through, campaigning to keep him in prison, this is a real kick in the face.

“I am very cross because the Parole Board haven’t told me about it.

“The judge last year said he wouldn’t even interview him because he felt he hasn’t made any progress.

“How many times can they consider letting people out who go on to do it again? I would like them to bring back hanging if the court is 100 per cent certain of what they did. Why should we have to pay to keep them?”

Mrs Petherick said her husband, who died about five years ago, passed away thinking Mackay would spend the rest of his life in prison.

In October last year, Mrs Petherick said she was “sick with relief” after being told Mackay would stay behind bars, as he was not being recategorised.

In July last year, the board refused to downgrade Mackay, but has now accepted a move to less secure conditions would be a “constructive move”, as his refusal to admit his guilt is “hampering” his progress through the prison system.

Ann’s body was discovered when police searched Mackay’s North London flat in connection with another sexual assault. She was last seen alive on January 2, 1989. Her body was found in a black plastic bag, and the bones in her face had been caved in by heavy blows.