Serial killer Patrick Mackay to be grilled by Parole Board to see if he is ... trends now
'Devil's Disciple' serial killer Patrick Mackay will be grilled in a parole hearing about eight murders he initially confessed to but later retracted before it is decided if he should be freed.
Mackay, 70, has spent 47 years in prison for three killings, but previously admitted to eight more.
The serial killer then retracted his admissions over the eight murders but must now convince a Parole Board that he was lying about those initial confessions.
The Kent and Essex killer, who split Catholic priest Anthony Crean's head in half with an axe in March 1975, is considered to be Britain's longest-serving prisoner.
Mackay has been told he will have two days to discuss his case with the Parole Board, one day more than is usually given to convicted murderers.
'Devil's Disciple' serial killer Patrick Mackay (pictured) will be grilled in a parole hearing about eight murders he initially confessed to but later retracted before it is decided if he should be freed
Mackay, 70, has spent 47 years in prison for three murders, but previously admitted to eight more
Speaking about the upcoming case with the Parole Board, a source told The Mirror: 'The notoriety of Patrick Mackay and his historic 'confessions' to unsolved murders warrants this level of attention.
'The board will look beyond Mackay's behaviour in prison, any remorse, and will focus on his prior criminal history.
'This obviously includes the three murders he was jailed for, but there will be questions on any other crimes he committed.
'Mackay will have to convince the panel his 'confession' to other murders was the ramblings of a man who was mentally ill at the time.'
The serial killer is reportedly optimistic about his prospect of being freed. He was said to be furious after he learnt that his Parole Hearing, intended to be last year, had been put on hold and that he wouldn't be out in time for Christmas.
The axe murderer is also considered by some to be a 'model prisoner'.
A prison source told The Mirror last year: 'He really believes he finally has a chance to be released. He’s seen as a model prisoner.
'In theory, there’s little reason to keep him behind bars, but it will be a strong board who approve his release – the public will be outraged.'
Daily Mail front page November 1975
Mackay killed Father Anthony Crean (pictured) in a frenzied attack using his fists, a knife and an axe in the village of Shorne, Kent
Mackay was born in 1952 and raised in an abusive household where he was regularly beaten by his alcoholic father.
At a young age he started committing
