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'Devil's Disciple' serial killer ‘too dangerous to release permanently’ let out of prison after 47 years

Home> News

Updated 09:01 3 May 2023 GMT+1Published 10:05 2 May 2023 GMT+1

'Devil's Disciple' serial killer ‘too dangerous to release permanently’ let out of prison after 47 years

Patrick Mackay is believed to be the UK's longest serving prisoner.

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

The man known as the 'Devil's Disciple' serial killer has been spotted out of prison after 47 years.

Serial killer Patrick Mackay was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in 1975 after confessing to three murders, as well as eight other unsolved killings.

He was convicted of manslaughter, on the grounds of diminished responsibility and spent over four decades behind bars.

The killer was spotted roaming the streets of Bristol on day release.

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The man known as the 'Devil's Disciple' serial killer has been let out of prison after 47 years.
BBC

In 2017, Mackay was moved to an open prison.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board had previously told LADbible that 'an oral parole hearing' was scheduled to take place in April 2023.

"A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims," they said.

"Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

"Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.

"The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”

The Ministry Of Justice spokesperson told LADbible: "Prisoners are subject to tough risk assessments before they are allowed out on temporary release. They must also abide by strict rules and face extra time behind bars if they don’t comply.”

Serial killer Patrick Mackay was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years behind bars in 1975 after confessing to three murders, as well as eight other unsolved killings.
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

He was pictured in a baseball cap, glasses and what appeared to be prison-issue tracksuit bottoms.

Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford, said: “There is a real danger from this man — he’s still young enough to kill again.”

Vic Davies, 67, the son of one of the eight who was killed, said: “It doesn’t make sense.

“There is clearly a desire to get him out of prison and it’s a massive gamble.

“It takes a split second for something to go horribly wrong.”

The Ministry Of Justice declined to comment.

He was convicted of manslaughter, on the grounds of diminished responsibility and spent over four decades behind bars.
BBC

The 70-year-old, from Middlesex, was obsessed with Nazism as a teen, and issued a series of attacks against three elderly victims.

The first was Isabella Griffith, who lived in Chelsea, London. He strangled and stabbed the 84-year-old in her home.

In March 1975, he then murdered Adele Price. Mackay killed the 89-year-old in her home.

Less than two weeks later, his third victim was Father Anthony Crean, who was brutally killed in his home in Kent.

He bludgeoned the priest to death, striking him with an axe.

Mackay was taken in by police hours after Father Crean's body was discovered.

He also confessed to eight unsolved murders, which included the death of 17-year-old German au pair, Heidi Mnilk.

However, he ended up retracting those confessions.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo / BBC

Topics: UK News

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

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@Anish_Vij

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