A rapist spending life behind bars for murdering a newly wed – and who is also the suspected murderer of estate agent – has written about his enjoyment in prison.
John Cannan was jailed for a minimum of 35 years for the 1987 rape and murder of Shirley Banks in Bristol, as well as another sexual offence, an attempted kidnapping and two sexually motivated abduction offences.
In a rare move, Scotland Yard previously named the car salesman as the suspected killer of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who infamously disappeared in 1986 after meeting a house buyer known as ‘Mr Kipper’ in London.
The CPS later ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Cannan – who has continued to maintain his innocence – due to the absence of a body or forensic evidence.
Now in a recent article for a prisoners magazine, the convict boasting about his life behind bars in which he enjoys his time studying for a degree in philosophy.
John Cannan (pictured) was jailed for a minimum of 35 years for the rape and murder of Shirley Banks in 1987, along with another sexual offence, an attempted kidnapping and two sexually motivated abduction offences
The rapist was previously named by Scotland Yard as a suspect in the disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, 25, (Pictured) went missing in Fulham, West London, in July 1986
An artist’s impression of a man calling himself Mr Kipper who is thought to have abducted estate agent Suzy Lamplugh
Sharing his advice to fellow prisoners, He recommended they also study, to ‘make time pass quickly’, citing the added benefit of an increase in wages.
Writing in Inside Time, Cannan said: ‘Serving my 37th year of this sentence, and having reached the grand old age of 70, I closed my door today in a deep and reflective mood.
‘Noticing a feral cohort of new prisoners arriving at the prison, I couldn’t help but remember what it was like for me starting a lengthy sentence.
‘In my case, I found the prospect disturbing and I did not know how I should spend my time.
‘Using my hard-earned experience as a guide, I thought I would pen some advice and hope it makes it easier for you to cope.
‘The key to making prison time pass quickly is to keep yourself busy. Your particular establishment will provide opportunities. Take them. Enroll in an education course.
‘In my case, I studied for a philosophy degree with the Open University. I worked hard for six years, but the time just flew by.
‘I succeeded and earned a 2.1 with honours. I was absolutely made-up. I enjoyed every minute of it.
He added: ‘If a degree course isn’t for you, then no problem. Other shorter courses will likely be on offer. Take them, but why should you? Who wants to be a nerd?
‘I did because nerds earn better wages. I don’t have a problem with earning higher wages, do you?
‘Moreover, you have a simple choice. Work to improve yourself and live more comfortably upon release. Or do nothing and remain empty.’
He also warned fellow inmates against joining gangs and taking drugs whilst serving time behind bars.
The CPS ruled there was an insufficent amount of evidence to convict Cannan. Lamplugh’s body has never been found, even after over three decades of searching
Cannan has now boasted of his enjoyment studying philosophy in a new article in a Prison magazine
‘Doing sit-ups every day, or playing computer games, isn’t going to earn you monies. Qualifications will. Very important too, is to be your own man,’ he penned.
‘Do not try to become a member of the in-crowd. Be more interesting and independent than that. Loud mouths are usually dim and insecure. Steer clear of them.
‘Resist taking drugs like the plague. At the end of the day, they’re expensive, harmful, and not worth it. Moreover, steer clear of going into debt.
He continued: ‘On that subject, if you do have a drug problem, help is available. Ask for it and accept what’s on offer. If you can get yourself clean the benefits to you will be immense.
‘Please do not think that I’m trying to paint myself whiter than white. Believe me, when younger I did loads wrong, the Seg etc. wasn’t new to me, but I got fed up with it and finally decided I wanted a different future. I’ve never regretted it.
‘Finally, as for your behaviour, you are in prison. What a waste of life. Think. Be kind, honest, and hard-working. It will give you peace and pay you dividends. Good luck to all of you.’
Cannan is the only suspect in relation to the Suzy Lamplugh case, but has continued to deny the allegations.
He previously claimed he knew the real identity of the killer, alleging it is the same person who killed Banks, the crime for which he himself was convicted.
The 25-year-old estate agent vanished on July 28, 1986 after going to show a man around a house in Fulham.
The case remains one of Britain’s most notorious unsolved crimes and Miss Lamplugh’s body has never been found.
Newlywed Shirley Banks (Pictured) was killed by John Cannan in 1987. Her body was not found until the following year
The only clue to her disappearance was an appointment she put in her work diary suggesting she was showing the property to a ‘Mr Kipper’, who has never been traced.
Three days before she vanished Cannan had been released from a hostel at Wormwood Scrubs prison, where he had been serving a six-year sentence for rape.
It later emerged that in prison he was known by other inmates as Kipper.
The former car salesman also had access to a BMW car of the type thought to have been driven by ‘Mr Kipper’ and resembled a photofit of a man seen with Miss Lamplugh outside the Fulham flat on the day she disappeared.
Her late parents Paul and Diana dedicated their lives to finding her and established the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to improve awareness of personal safety.