A man who killed a woman and buried her remains at a North Yorkshire beauty spot has had his bid for release from prison rejected.
Martin Bell attacked 23-year-old Gemma Simpson with a hammer and stabbed her at his flat in Harrogate in May 2000. He then dismembered her body and buried her at Brimham Rocks near Pateley Bridge.
Gemma, from Leeds, was treated as a missing person until Bell confessed in 2014. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 11 years and 205 days after admitting manslaughter with diminished responsibility.
His appeal was heard by the Parole Board who said it was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.
In a statement it said the case was heard via video link on 14 September.
It said: “As required by law, Mr Bell’s case was referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice to determine whether he could be safely released on parole licence.
“The panel could only direct release if it was satisfied that it was no longer necessary for the protection of the public that Mr Bell remained confined in prison.
“Prior to the hearing, Mr Bell’s legal representative had asked that the review be deferred to allow Mr Bell time to complete periods of temporary overnight release from the open prison where he was being held.
“The professionals involved in the case had indicated that they would expect a year of testing to take place prior to considering recommending Mr Bell’s release on life licence.”
