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07/09/01 - Killer's sick mind revealed in letters
by Lindsay Jennings
Taken from The
Northern Echo
THE twisted mind of child killer Shaun Armstrong can be seen
for the first time in these chilling letters which are at the
centre of his shocking legal bid. In the letters obtained by
The Northern Echo, Armstrong denies carrying out a serious sexual
assault on three-year-old Hartlepool youngster Rosie Palmer.
He claims he should never have been told to plead guilty to
murder, only manslaughter, and hits out at the media for giving
out the wrong impression about him. The letters are just two
of 80 he sent to Bernard O'Mahoney, believing he was writing
to a woman called Laurna Jane Stevens, during his time in Wakefield
Prison in late 1996 and 1997.
Armstrong is using taxpayers' money to sue Mr O'Mahoney for
up to £15,000 damages, claiming the author breached his
confidence and obtained the letters by deception. He says he
has violated his right to respect for his private and family
life and does not want to see them used in a book O'Mahoney
is planning to write.
In the letters, sent over 11 months, the killer talks about
his childhood experiences and gives disturbing details about
little Rosie's murder. He describes being victimised by staff
and inmates because "they think" he sexually assaulted
the youngster, before affectionately signing off as Anthony,
the killer's middle name.
Armstrong's legal bid has been met with outrage from senior
politicians and the Hartlepool community who have called for
Home Secretary David Blunkett to intervene. But in a further
twist, Mr O'Mahoney, 41, of Peterborough, says he cannot afford
to fight the case as he does not qualify for public funding.
He is appealing for any solicitors to take up his case or provide
him with valuable legal advice in the run up to the court hearing.
"If he's successful this could have serious implications
for undercover officers, customs officers and even journalists
who pose as other people to gain convictions," said Mr
O'Mahoney.
The Legal Services Commission - which replaced the Legal Aid
Board - today said that Armstrong was granted a public funding
certificate to serve the writ. A spokeswoman said: "As
with all certificates, a cost limitation has been placed on
it and the cost incurred through the case will be closely monitored.
"Conditions for granting and withdrawal of a funding certificate
are laid down in the Legal Services Commission funding code
which has been approved by Parliament. "The LSC cannot
differentiate between applicants on the grounds that a decision
to grant a certificate may be unpopular in a particular case.
*Anyone who is willing to help Mr O'Mahoney can contact Lindsay
Jennings on (01325) 505067. |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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