PREVIEW

WORDS BYLINE: Millie Bowles
A “monster of a man” who murdered his disabled girlfriend has been granted parole.
Dean Williams, 62, strangled Mary Malkin at a flat in Margate, in 2005. He had previously been arrested for hitting the mum-of-two, but after convincing her to leave a women’s refuge, he attacked her again.
Williams then slept beside Mary’s body before calling the police the next day and chillingly saying: “Someone’s strangled my girlfriend.”
He was originally locked up for life with a minimum term of 20 years, before appealing his conviction due to new evidence regarding his mental state and being found guilty of murder once again in 2014.
The domestic abuser, who used to beat Mary and hide her prosthetic leg, has been eligible for parole since 2023.
Following an oral hearing this month, the Parole Board deemed him eligible for release, and he will soon be walking the streets.
Mary’s sister, Franky Dillon, says she will be contesting the decision.
“I fully intend to appeal on the grounds of his previous abusive behaviour and the hell he put his exes through, including beatings and strangulation,” she said today.
“He is a monster of a man who should have died in prison.”
Ms Dillon wants to see Williams die in prison. “A leopard does not change its spots,” she said. “They're telling me, ‘but he's going to be on licence, he'll have to be brought to the parole office’.
“Excuse me? That man was on bail for domestic violence against Mary, and he still went back and killed her. So do not tell me a licence is going to stop him.
“I want to see him die in prison, and I hope and pray to God that every night he closes his eyes, he thinks of Mary and she haunts him.”
The Parole Board confirmed a panel had directed the release of Williams following an oral hearing.
A spokesperson said: “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 the impact the crime has had on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead-up to an oral hearing.
“Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison, as well as victim's personal statements may be given at the hearing.
“It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing, which often lasts a full day or more.
“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”