27 April 2023 , 20:58
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Jailed Michael Stone will die in prison unless he can overturn his double murder conviction, his solicitor has revealed.
The lag was 37 when he was handed three life sentences for bludgeoning Dr Lin Russell and her six-year-old daughter Megan to death with a hammer.
But yesterday the Mirror revealed how Milly Dowler’s killer, Levi Bellfield, 54, had sensationally signed a fresh confession, claiming he carried out the attack that also left nine-year-old Josie Russell with severe head injuries.
And Stone, 62, told us from prison: “I know Bellfield did those murders.”
Stone was jailed for a minimum of 25 years in 1998 and could go free as early as July after completing his sentence.
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But he says that he is refusing to seek parole until his conviction for the murders, which took place in Chillenden, Kent, is quashed.
Stone’s legal team have urged police to launch a fresh probe, while Bellfield’s solicitor says he has admitted his guilt. Stone’s representative, Mark McDonald, told the Mirror: “His tariff does end this year but Stone will not engage with the Probation Service, as to do so will be an indication of guilt.
Lin Russell and her daughter Megan were killed in savage hammer attack (Press Association)
Serial killer Levi Bellfield has reportedly signed a confession admitting he carried out the attack (PA)“In fact, Stone has not even been recategorised and is still a Cat A [inmate]. In order to reduce your category, you need to engage with probation.
“It follows that although he could have a much better life in prison, he still remains under the same restrictions since his conviction 25 years ago.
“Unless we can overturn his convictions, Stone will die in prison.”
Lin, 45, and Megan were beaten to death in July 1996, as they walked home from a swimming gala. The family’s dog, Lucy, was also killed. Josie, now in her 30s and a textile artist in Wales, suffered severe injuries that affected her speech.
Stone has always protested his innocence over the attacks.
Last year, Bellfield claimed responsibility for the murders, before later retracting his statement.
But Stone’s solicitor, Paul Bacon, has now confirmed that Bellfield has written and signed a fresh confession to the murders.
He said: “It will, hopefully, bring closure to the families involved.
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“Now the police need to respond and investigate these crimes afresh, to affect closure for these families.”
Michael Stone has always protested his innocence of the grisly murder (Press Association)Bellfield’s solicitor Theresa Clark said yesterday that her client has told her of his desire to finally come clean.
She said he made the confession after engaging with prison psychologists.
Ms Clark added: “At the end of the day, the instruction from my client is clear.
“He’s adamant that he did it. My client says, ‘I did it, I need to take responsibility for what I’ve done’.”
It is understood the alleged confession has been referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Kent Police say they are satisfied with Stone’s conviction.
Bellfield is thought to be the only criminal in UK legal history to be serving two whole-life orders.
The serial killer was given one for murdering 19-year-old Marsha McDonnell, 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 the 13-year-old, following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.