Royal Navy killer who murdered two young men has parole hearing delayed

21 February 2024 , 12:44

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Serial killer Allan Grimson (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

A serial killer who murdered two men and has been linked to 20 other deaths has has his bid for freedom delayed.

Allan Grimson was due to ask the Parole Board to let him out of prison on licence at a hearing pencilled in for Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16. But the meeting was pulled at the last minute and the Parole Board has not released why it was adjourned, or when it will likely go ahead.

Grimson, 65, was jailed in 2001 at Winchester Crown Court for the murders of naval rating Nicholas Wright, 18, from Leicestershire, and barman Sion Jenkins from Newbury, Berkshire. In January a fresh set of searches were being carried out by police in Gibraltar as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a Royal Navy sailor more than 37 years ago, following a ‘new line of enquiry’.

Simon Parkes, from Bristol, was last seen in December 1986 when the ship he was serving on, HMS Illustrious, was docked in the territory. Grimson, a former petty officer, was serving on board the aircraft carrier at the same time as the 18-year-old.

Sion Jenkins was killed by Grimson (PA Archive/PA Images)

Nicholas Wright was murdered by Grimson (PA Archive/PA Images)

A Hampshire Police spokesman added: “Royal Navy Rating Parkes, from Bristol, was last seen in December 1986, when the ship he was serving on, HMS Illustrious, was docked in Gibraltar. The 18-year-old radio operator went on to shore but never made it back on board and when the ship returned to Portsmouth days later, no one knew what had happened to him despite a huge manhunt to find him. Since then investigations into his disappearance have so far failed to find answers for his long-suffering parents.”

Double killer who slit girlfriend's throat within weeks of release jailed

No-one knows what's happened to Simon Parkes (Courtesy Parkes Family / SWNS)

A source told the Daily Mail: "The parole hearing for Grimson was always contentious given the grievous nature of his crimes and the fact that he is suspected of being involved in other serious matters. It is believed the appeal has been put on hold for more detailed information about Grimson's progress in prison and also a current investigation to try and find the body of a missing sailor."

Kelly-Ann Mills