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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Abi Smillie

Michelle Stewart's killer kept behind bars for another year after parole bid refused

A knife killer who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death on the streets of an Ayrshire village has been refused parole for another year.

Murderer John Wilson, who killed 17-year-old Michelle Stewart in Drongan in 2008, was denied parole yesterday morning.

Michelle’s family have breathed a sigh of relief as Wilson was told he would remain behind bars for another 12 months.

The family have tirelessly campaigned in Michelle’s name for stronger laws within the parole board hearing process and tighter knife crime regulations.

And yesterday they said they will continue to speak up for victims.

A post on their campaign page, Michelle’s Law, on Facebook said: “Good news! Once again the scumbag John Wilson has been refused parole.

“He is a danger to women and does not deserve to ever be free.

“Here’s hoping he remains locked up where he belongs for many years to come.

“We will not give up the fight for victims’ rights and Michelle’s Law.”

Michelle’s Law aims to see changes to the justice system, including the setting up of ‘exclusion zones’ upon an offender’s release.

The campaign was prompted by the Stewart family after blade killer Wilson was spotted in and around Ayr and Prestwick several times while on supervised leave since 2018, a decision previously slammed by Michelle’s sister Lisa.

Lisa previously said: “We get no warning that he is out in our local area.

“What happens if we come across him; is any thought given to the victims? The only thing we ask is that he is relocated away from our area.

“The anxiety we all suffer at the thought of him being freed, never mind the possibility of bumping into him.”

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Wilson ambushed Michelle from behind while she was out at the shops with her friends in November 2008 – stabbing her 10 times with a 10-inch blade.

He pleaded guilty in 2009 to the brutal attack and was sentenced to a minimum 12 years behind bars.

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