Schoolgirl killer who never told tormented mum where her body is denied parole

24 January 2023 , 08:06

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Stuart Campbell was jailed for life in 2002 for the murder of his niece

Danielle Jones' killer has been denied parole 22 years after the sickening crime.

Stuart Campbell was jailed for life in December 2002 for the kidnap and murder of the 15-year-old schoolgirl, who was his own niece.

Danielle left home in Tilbury, Essex on June 18, 2001, to catch a bus to school when Campbell lured her into his blue transit van and abducted her. Her parents never saw her again.

Last year the Mirror exclusively revealed the builder, who has never confessed to the killing nor said where her body is, could potentially be freed.

But the Parole Board has decided the 64-year-old should remain behind bars.

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Danielle's body has never been found by police (Daily Mirror)

A Parole Board spokesman said: “We can confirm a panel of the Parole Board has refused the release of Stuart Campbell following a paper review.

"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

"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.

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

Danielle's family last saw her when she left for school (PA)

Stuart Campbell has been denied release by the Parole Board (PA)

Danielle’s disappearance led to a search of more than 1,500 locations.

Campbell was arrested within weeks and found guilty at trial after a pair of white stockings with Danielle’s DNA on them were discovered at his home.

He was also found to have faked texts from Danielle and lied about where he was at the time of the murder.

He has never revealed where he hid the 15-year-old’s body.

Linda Jones has never been told where her daughter's body is (Daily Mirror)

The “no body” case is one of the first to go before the Parole Board since the passing of the Mirror-backed Helen’s Law, making it a legal requirement for panels to consider “non-disclosure”.

In 2019, Danielle's mother, Linda Jones, said she did not want Campbell to be released from prison if he did not reveal where her body was.

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She said she backs Helen's Law, named after murdered Helen McCourt, which aims to prevent parole for killers who refuse to reveal the location of their victim's body.

A spokeswoman for the Parole Board confirmed in November that Campbell's case had been referred to them.

Last year Alix Sharkey, Campbell’s brother, agreed he should not be released until he says where Danielle is.

He said: “I do not believe my brother should be released until he discloses what he did with Danielle Jones’ body.

“Her parents have been through a living hell. They have never had closure. “My brother hasn’t even given them their daughter so they have a place to grieve.”

Antony Clements-Thrower