Killer uncle denied parole until he reveals location of niece’s body

A notorious killer who kidnapped and killed his 15-year-old niece has been denied release from prison by the Parole Board.

Stuart Campbell was jailed for life in 2002 for the murder of Danielle Jones, from East Tilbury, Essex, who disappeared on her way to school on June 18, 2001.

Danielle’s body has never been found, but a pair of white stockings and a lip gloss containing her DNA were later found at Campbell’s home, prompting his arrest.

Campbell denied any involvement in his niece’s disappearance, but was found guilty after it emerged he lured her into a blue transit van to abduct her.

During his trial, prosecutors said he had developed an ‘irresistible sexual attraction’ to his niece, which included keeping a diary chronicling his contact with Danielle and sending her ‘an inordinate amount of text messages’.

He was sentenced to life in prison, with a High Court judge ruling he should not be considered for parole for at least 20 years.

Campbell became eligible for parole last year, but has been denied an appeal after the panel decided he is still too dangerous for release.

In 2019, Danielle’s mother, Linda Jones, said she did not want Campbell to be released from prison until he reveals where her body is.

She cited Helen’s Law, named after murder victim Helen McCourt, which aims to prevent parole for killers who refuse to reveal the location of their victim’s body.

Both Ms Jones and Campbell’s brother, Alix Sharkey, have appealed to him to reveal where Danielle’s body is, but he has refused to disclose any information.

Ms Jones said she hoped Campbell would ‘do the right thing and allow us to lay our darling daughter to rest’.

A Parole Board spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has refused the release of Stuart Campbell following a paper review. 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. 

‘Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.’ 

In 2017, officers from Essex Police dug up some garages near the home where Campbell once lived, in the hope her body may have been buried there.

But after a five-day search, no trace of her was found.

The force said at the time: ‘Sadly we have been unable to end the pain they (Danielle’s family) have continued to experience and we are no closer to knowing where Danielle is.’

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