Sadistic assassin with ‘psychopath’ tattooed on his face who bludgeoned physician to loss of life and police warned ‘will kill once more’ is free of jail
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A sadistic murderer who bludgeoned a doctor to death after tricking his way into his Middlesbrough home has been freed from jail, it is understood.
Reginald Wilson, 61, who detectives warned ‘will kill again’, was convicted of one of Britain’s most notorious murders when he took the life of consultant dermatologist David Birkett in 1990.
Wilson, who has the words ‘psychopath’ and ‘chaos’ tattooed across his forehead, has been released on licence despite Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy pursuing a judicial review in a bid to overturn the Parole Board’s decision.
The killer, who was previously said to have a ‘psychopathic disorder’, was initially sentenced to spend his whole life in prison, but this was later reduced to a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years.
The court heard he bludgeoned Mr Birkett, 56, at least 17 times with a hammer, displaying a ‘frightening level of sadism’.
At the time of his imprisonment, Cleveland Police detective sergeant Ray Morton warned: ‘If he ever gets out I am sure that he will kill again.’
In November a Parole Board ruled that Wilson, who has since changed his surname to Zenshen, was fit for release on life licence. It was his fourth appearance before the board.
The board said Wilson had made ‘good progress’ in open prison conditions and ‘no significant concerns’ had been raised.
Reginald Wilson (pictured), now 61, was convicted of one of Britain’s most notorious murders when he took the life of consultant dermatologist David Birkett in 1990
Lammy, who also serves as Justice Secretary, is understood to be applying for a judicial review but it is thought the government could not legally delay Wilson’s release
He previously asked for the Parole Board reconsider their decision, but this was refused. He also requested it be overturned after it emerged that Wilson had been stealing while living in open prison conditions.
But a judicial member of the Parole Board, which is independent of the Ministry of Justice, maintained this offending did not indicate an increase in Wilson’s risk of causing harm.
The application was refused in January and could now be challenged again, after Lammy served a pre-action letter to the Parole Board stating his intentions to apply for a judicial review.
If successful, this would quash the set aside decision and require the Parole Board to reconsider, which could result in Wilson returning to custody.
Wilson tricked his way into Dr Birkett’s six-bed home in the Linthorpe area of Middlesbrough by pretending to be a motorcycle courier delivering a package.
The 56-year-old was beaten to the ground by Wilson with a hammer, dragged into his study and subjected to a second sadistic attack.
A post mortem concluded that the consultant had been struck at least 17 times. A judge said he had displayed a ‘frightening level of sadism’.
Mr Birkett, 56, was bludgeoned to death with a hammer after Wilson tricked his way into his home
Wilson was caught five months after the murder of Dr Birkett when a fingerprint was discovered at the scene.
A sawn-off shotgun and 73 cartridges was found during a search of his home. Police also found hammers, a crossbow, knives and knuckledusters, together with survival gear.
There was also evidence that he read and wrote poetry about death and killing, and he had told his girlfriend he intended to kill a policeman.
As Wilson was led down to the cells at Durham Crown Court, he yelled: ‘You may contain me but you will never control me.’
In 1996, he made an escape attempt from Frankland Prison in Durham and also tried to stab a prison officer in 1999.
Wilson’s release conditions include that he will have to reside at a set address, disclose any relationships, be subject to a curfew, drug testing, alcohol abstinence tagging, GPS tracking and have limited use of tech.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: ‘This was a heinous crime, and our thoughts remain with the friends and family of David Birkett.
‘We are disappointed with the Parole Board’s decision to refuse our set aside application, which is why the Deputy Prime Minister will apply for a judicial review of this decision.
‘Regardless of legal action, Reginald Wilson Zenshen will remain on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision after he is released, and could be recalled back to custody.’
