Government calls for killer to remain behind bars

The government is set to make an eleventh-hour bid to halt the release of a killer who bludgeoned a doctor to death.

Reginald Wilson, who was 25 at the time, attacked consultant dermatologist Dr David Birkett in 1990 after tricking his way into his Middlesbrough home.

He was convicted of murder a year later at Durham Crown Court, with the judge who sentenced him saying he should die in prison. It was later determined he must serve a minimum term of 30 years.

In October, the Parole Board deemed him fit to be freed having made "good progress" and said it was no longer necessary to keep him imprisoned for the protection of the public.

Justice Secretary David Lammy asked for the decision to be reconsidered but the Parole Board confirmed to the BBC on Monday it had refused the Secretary of State's bid.

That should clear the way for the killer - who has changed his name to Reginald Zenshen - to be freed, but the Ministry of Justice now says it will make a further attempt to force a fresh review.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said they had asked the Parole Board to reconsider its position "after new information came to light."

"This was a heinous crime, and our thoughts are with the friends and family of David Birkett," they said.

Zenshen struck the 56-year-old doctor 17 times with a hammer.

Police later found a cache of firearms and ammunition at the killer's home and he made threats to kill officers.

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