Murderer facing parole admits he would likely reoffend but now empathises with victim's family

Billy Dunlop, the inaugural inmate sentenced after Scotland’s 800-year-old double-jeopardy rule was amended, appeared before a parole panel and admitted that, given his history, he likely would have committed another murder or serious assault. He recounted that the loss of his own son has helped him grasp the anguish experienced by the victim’s mother and relatives, saying he now “totally gets” their pain. Psychiatrists previously identified him as having psychopathic traits and severe personality problems, but recent assessments by prison and independent psychologists deem his risk of future violence low, rising to moderate if released.

Dunlop, who works as a painter and decorator in prison, expressed remorse for his past selfishness and claimed he now only has self-directed violent thoughts. The panel, which includes member Zaiada Bibi, will consider whether to grant his release and possibly move him to another facility, while the victim’s family observed the hearing from London.