THE SEARCH continued yesterday for a 34-year-old convicted murderer who went missing while on phased release from Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland.
Jonathan Neill, who notoriously said that he murdered a man in London in 1991 and carved a cross and 666 on his back because he “wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone”, was on community release from prison when he appeared to go on the run. He had been staying in a hostel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Neill was convicted of murdering his family’s lodger, Donald McKenzie, whom he stabbed 24 times while he was asleep in bed. Neill was 16 at the time.
A native of Northern Ireland Neill, who is 6ft 2in, was transferred to Maghaberry Prison from a prison in England and has served the 12-year tariff imposed when he was convicted. He was released under licence in 2005 but was recalled to prison for breaching the licence.
He was again released into the community under conditions last year. There was some surprise that he seemingly absconded, considering that just two weeks ago the English parole board, which is responsible for his case, appeared satisfied that he did not pose a risk to the community.
The PSNI said the public should not approach him, although the Northern Ireland Prison Service does not regard him as an “immediate danger”.
No official reason was given for Neill’s disappearance although it is believed that he feared he was about to be brought back to prison for breaching one of his release conditions relating to a ban on alcohol.
Neill has a partner, Norma Campbell, with whom he has a one-year-old daughter. She told the BBC she was very worried about him and that any suggestions that he was dangerous were “ridiculous”.
He is allowed to stay with her at weekends but lives in the hostel during the week.
His parents, Norman and Josephine, also said he did not present a danger to anyone. They urged him to hand himself in. “Please give yourself up and this can be sorted,” said Mr Neill.
