David Harker – why Darlington cannibal killer was refused parole

Twisted David Harker has been behind bars for more than 27 years for butchering mum-of-four Julie Paterson in 1998. 

Harker cut off Ms Paterson’s limbs and head before disposing of her torso in a black sack and dumping it in a house on Polam Lane – and even boasted about frying her thigh and eating it. 

The now-51-year-old, who had already been refused parole eight times, faced another hearing on May 13, this year. 

But a parole board has once again denied Harker’s release or an open condition in order to  “protect the public from serious harm”.  

Harker was said to ‘charming’, but he had a chilling dark side (Image: Contributor)

The parole board decision summary reveals Harker, who became eligible for parole in 2013, chose not to make any representations about his release and did not attend the hearing. 

It details how there have been “signs of change” in his behaviour in custody, with no disciplinary findings since 2015.

He has also undertaken an intervention to increase motivation and engagement and a programme intended to strengthen the methods he can use to reduce violent tendencies. 

The panel considered a dossier containing 356 pages of reports, including submissions on behalf of the Secretary of State arguing against release.

The person responsible for managing Harker in prison, two probation officers who would be responsible for him in the community if he were to be released, and a psychologist all expressed the view that he did not pass the test for release or open conditions.

The panel decided not to release Harker. He has 21 days to appeal for reconsideration. 

Harker – who was likened to Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs – was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility in February 1999.

At the time, psychiatrists who examined him on behalf of both the defence and the prosecution agreed that his responsibility for his actions at the time of the killing was “substantially diminished by a severe psychopathic disorder”.

He was jailed for life. 

Ms Paterson first went missing in April 1988 and a murder investigation was launched when parts of body were found in a bin liner hidden in a garden hedge the following month.

Julie Paterson went missing in April 1998 (Image: Contributor)

She was just 32 when she died – and the rest of her remains have never been recovered. 

Detectives believed the evil killer had kept her decapitated head in the corner of his bedroom for several days before deciding to remove it, with her limbs and head never being found. 

At the time, officers trawled through 20,000 tons of rubbish at Coxhoe tip, in County Durham, dragging rivers and ponds and searching sewers, but to no avail.

When Harker was held on remand at Ashworth Hospital, in Liverpool, before being convicted, he told The Northern Echo what had happened to the mother.

Police searching for Julie’s remains at a County Durham landfill site in 1998 (Image: North News)

While Harker had refused to talk to the police about it, he openly admitted his guilt to former Echo reporter Karen Westcott during a call, then through twisted letters, and then in person.

Harker, who has the words “subhuman” and “disorder” tattooed on his scalp, admitted in these letters that he was making a mask out of human skin and intended to use the flesh of his victims to complete it.

He wrote: “I would have gone on until I was caught.

“The coroner would be busy in Darlington if I ever got out.”

Harker also told the Echo in person that he had consensual sex with Julie at his flat on Harewood Grove before he strangled her with her tights in his bedroom.

He said coldly: “It just happened.”

Ms Paterson’s family have long pleaded with Harker to reveal where he disposed of her body.

However, he has refused to answer their desperate calls to finally put their beloved mam to rest.