A woman who was jailed for 19 years after she fed her husband poisoned curry has been released from prison after 19 years.
Dena Thompson, 61, was jailed for life for murder after hiding anti-depressants in second husband Julian Webb's curry at their home in Yapton, West Sussex, on his birthday in 1994.
Thompson, who was dubbed the ‘Black Widow’ after she killed Mr Webb, has a history of conning men out of money and detectives said she targeted a string of victims “sexually, financially and physically”.
The Parole Board said: “After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the other evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Ms Thompson was suitable for release once suitable accommodation became available in early June 2022.”
Her third husband, Richard Thompson, who survived being attacked by the killer, told Mail Online : “She’ll get karma.”
Martyn Underhill, a former detective chief inspector who exposed Thompson’s crimes said: “This woman is every man’s nightmare. For a decade, she targeted men sexually, financially and physically.”
Mr Underhill said he believed she still posed a danger and urged authorities to keep a “close eye” on her.
Thompson will have to disclose any new relationships, provide details of vehicles she uses, as well as her passport and bank details when required. Officials were concerned of any relationship she formed, given her history of manipulating, deceiving and grooming vulnerable men.
Thompson will also have to wear an electronic tag and adhere to a curfew.
Arrested in 1992 for taking money from Woolwich Building Society where she was a cashier, Dena was first jailed for 18 months on 15 charges of deception.
She married British Telecom exec Mr Thompson in 1999, stole his life savings and ran up thousands on his credit cards while forging his signature to obtain loans.
He was naked and bound when she was said to have battered him with a baseball bat and stabbed him.
Charged with attempted murder, in August 2000 she told the jury at Lewes crown court she had acted in self defence when he turned violent after discovering she had stolen from him.
Cleared of attempted murder she was jailed for three years and nine months after pleading guilty to 15 charges of theft and dishonesty.
She was jailed for a minimum of 13 years for the murder of Mr Webb in December 2003 after a month-long trial at the Old Bailey.
This term was increased to 16 years by Mr Justice Ousely in 2007.
In May of this year, officials said cash Thompson had earned from her prison art made her less of a danger to men.
Among the poisoners' prison artworks are a collection of cakes made of felt on two records entitled "IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE".
Another created by the master cross stitcher while she was in HMP Send, Surrey, is a sleeveless dress made of ring pulls and wool called "ON THE PULL".
Sean McDonald, a former Sussex Police detective who investigated Thompson, described the artworks as "incredible" and "ironic".
