'Cannibal killer' refused parole for ninth time
PA Media/HandoutThis story contains details people may find upsetting
A killer who claimed to have eaten part of his victim has been refused parole for the ninth time in 13 years.
David Harker, now 51, is serving a life sentence for killing mother-of-four Julie Paterson in Darlington in 1998.
The Parole Board concluded it was still not safe to allow him to be released or to be transferred to an open prison based on the continuing need to protect the public.
The panel considered a dossier containing 356 pages of reports, including submissions on behalf of the Secretary of State arguing against release. Harker did not attend or make representations.
Harker, who had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, was 24 when he was sentenced in 1999.
When the case was heard, it emerged he had told friends and psychiatrists that he had fried part of Paterson's thigh and eaten it with pasta and cheese.
Police believe the she was strangled in Harker's Darlington flat. Only some of the 32-year-old's remains were ever found and Harker never revealed where the rest were.
Prison staff evidence
Psychiatrists agreed he had a severe psychopathic disorder when he killed Paterson, meaning he was not guilty of murder.
A report into Harker's recent conduct found his behaviour in custody had "significantly improved", with no disciplinary findings since 2015.
Previous decisions had been made using documents, but the latest heard oral evidence from the person responsible for managing Harker in jail, two probation officers who would be responsible for managing him in the community, a psychologist and someone who worked with him on a programme in prison.
While the person who worked with him was not allowed to recommend a course of action, the others said Harker did not pass the test for release.
In its conclusion, the Parole Board said it had formed its "own independent assessment of risk" and decided he would not be suitable for release or transfer to an open prison.
