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08/09/01 - Mind of child's killer laid bare in confession letters
by Lindsay Jennings
Taken from The
Northern Echo
A CHILLING insight into the mind of the killer of three-year-old
Rosie Palmer has been laid bare in letters obtained by The Northern
Echo.
Murderer Shaun Armstrong was jailed for life at Leeds Crown
Court in 1995 after he confessed to killing Rosie at his home
in Hartlepool, Cleveland. On Wednesday, The Northern Echo revealed
how Armstrong is suing the man who helped put him behind bars.
Author Bernard O'Mahoney extracted a confession from him in
letters he wrote over an 11-month period. Mr O'Mahoney wrote
to him pretending to be a woman and struck up a relationship.
He is now being sued for breach of confidence and the profits
of any book that may be written.
In the letters seen by The Northern Echo, Armstrong denies raping
the youngster and says people only believe he did it because
of the "wonderful people in the media". He writes
that he should not have been told to plead guilty, and should
have admitted manslaughter instead.
But he goes on to say he knows Rosie's mother, Beverley, is
"a victim" and that it is her he feels sorry for.
Each of the letters are affectionately signed off as Anthony,
the killer's middle name.
The letters are just two of 80 he sent to Mr 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. 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.
Hartlepool councillor and former member of the Rosie Palmer
Foundation, Kevin Kelly, said: "By 2004/5 he could be out
and he'll only be 42. These letters are full of denial but no
remorse. They appear to be very cold and matter-of-fact."
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 is 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 |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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