An evil monster who set his teenage victim on fire after stuffing her dead body inside a wheelie bin is set to remain behind bars. Colyn Evans was ordered to serve a minimum 17 year term after being convicted of killing Karen Dewar, 16, in Tayport, Fife, in January 2005.
The Welshman, who is currently serving his time in an English jail, applied for a move to an open prison in preparation for his eventual release. But the Parole Board for England and Wales rejected his submissions, the Scottish Daily Express reports.
The decision is understood to have taken into account the risk Evans posed to the public and whether or not the risk could be managed in the community. Evans admitted trying to dismember tragic Karen, who had befriended her killer after feeling sorry for him.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Jamie Greene told 1919 magazine: "The ruling by the parole board in relation to this violent offender is extremely welcome and that feeling will be shared by the public and no doubt those connected with the victim of this horrific crime.
"This heinous crime saw the brutal and horrific murder of a young girl. It is a total insult to the loved ones of Karen Dewar that this killer had the brass neck to even apply for parole or to be moved within the prison estate.
"Killers like Colyn Evans rightly should be kept behind bars if there is even the slightest doubt over the potential risk they pose the public on release." Karen's murder made headlines across the UK when her body was discovered.
Evans lived on the same street as the Dewars in Tayport, a quiet town on the north coast of Fife which looks over to Dundee. She was subjected to his monstrous attack, which left his temporary accommodation covered in her blood and hair.
Evans admitted trying to dismember her body and stuffing it into a bin before setting it alight. Karen's parents had reported her missing on the evening of her death, and police soon apprehended and charged Evans.
Once convicted, attention turned to the authorities who placed the troubled teenager in the community with little monitoring, despite his extensive record of deviant and concerning behaviour. The authorities were accused of "dumping" Evans in their village.
Last year, 1919 reported how Evans was moved to prison in England, an arrangement sources said was in preparation for his eventual release. That brought him nearer to his family, who moved back to Wales after the murder.
"Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice" Parole Board for England and Wales
At the time of sentencing, Karen's father Frank Dewar said in a statement: "We feel that whatever the sentence given today would never be enough and it is Allison and I and our family that are going through a life sentence. We feel that if he gets out he will be dumped on someone else's street to do the same again and destroy another family."
A spokesman for the Parole Board in England said: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Colyn Evans following a paper review in March 2022. The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison. 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. Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course.
"The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice." A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice confirmed Evans remained a prisoner in England.
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