Michael Stone claims 'mental torture' in prison as he denies Chillenden murders

22 November 2023 , 16:02

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Michael Stone is battling to have his conviction overturned (Image: PA)

Jailed killer Michael Stone claims he is suffering "mental torture" in prison as he battles to overturn his conviction for the notorious Chillenden murders.

The 63-year-old claims Milly Dowler's murderer Levi Bellfield is responsible for the 1996 hammer attacks. Stone is serving three life sentences for bludgeoning Lin Russell, 45, and her daughter Megan, six, to death and attempting to kill sister Josie, nine.

But speaking from his prison cell in HMP Frankland where Stone continues to protest his innocence, he said he would not be seeking parole because it would be an admission of guilt. And in an interview with The Guardian, Stone spoke about life in prison, saying: "It's boring and horrible. It's mental torture." He added: "They've robbed me of my life."

He said that any parole bid would "distract me from focusing on my appeal" and "degrade me and humiliate me and destroy me". He added: "It makes me look like the bad guy if I do that. And I've got to go all the way with the innocence. And stick with it."

Lin Russell and her six-year-old daughter Megan (PA)

Josephine Russell (left) and her sister Megan (PA)

Speaking about his past history of violence, which includes convictions for robbery, burglary, GBH and assault, he said: "I can leave all that behind. It's been a big mistake." He added: "I've been in prison where everyone wants to attack me, all together, throw boiling liquids at me and stab me." But he now says that no one bothers him because "in their hearts they know I'm innocent."

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Stone, who has been in prison for 26 years, said he is prepared to die behind bars. He said: "The plan is to put me in here until I die. They were hoping, they were believing, that I wouldn't last 10 years. But I've lasted for 10 years, and all the rest on top. I'm mentally prepared and mentally set to always fight this conviction. Until the bitter end."

Levi Bellfield (PA)

Stone was jailed after the Russell family were found bludgeoned in Chillenden, Kent, in July 1996. Last month it emerged his conviction for the murders was to be reviewed again by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). It came just three months after a previous review ruled out the case being sent to the Court of Appeal.

Last year, Bellfield, who is serving two whole-life orders, claimed responsibility for the murders. In April, lawyers acting for Stone claimed that Bellfield had written and signed a fresh confession to the murder. But it was reported that he later boasted that he made up the false confession to murdering Lin and Megan Russell for “cash and fun”.

He wrote to Kent Police admitting he lied to get a £5,000 payment to a relative. However barrister Mark McDonald, who is representing Stone, is adamant his client did not commit the murders. He told the Guardian: "This is an innocent man in prison."

Bellfield was given a whole-life term for murdering Marsha McDonnell, 19, in 2003, murdering Amelie Delagrange, 22, and trying to murder Kate Sheedy, 18, in 2004. He was already serving his sentence when he went on trial for killing schoolgirl Milly, who was snatched from the street walking home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002. Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and killing Milly following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.

Dan Warburton