AN ONLINE petition to stop a murderer being located to Ayrshire on release from prison had gained over 4,000 signatures.

John Wilson killed 17-year-old Michelle Stewart in 2008, when he travelled from his home in Prestwick to Drongan, where he stabbed her 10 times.

He was originally sentenced to 16 years in prison, then reduced to 12 when he pleaded guilt. He is now up for parole, to be out in the Ayrshire community on supervised visits, having served just nine years.

Within one week, the online petition has received 4,355 signatures. 
Organisers hope to take the petition to the Scottish Parole Board and the Scottish Government to ensure that Wilson is relocated out with the Ayrshire area on any release from jail.

Speaking to our sister paper, the Cumnock Chronicle, Michelle’s mum, Josephine (pictured right), said: “He is not entitled to get out. He is never going to change. The justice system needs to change in this country.

“In the USA, a life sentence means life — Wilson will be in his 30s when he gets out, but he took Michelle’s life when she was just a teenager, it’s a complete joke.”

Tory leader Ruth Davidson previously brought the issue to the Scottish Parliament during First Minister’s Questions. 

She asked Nicola Sturgeon: “We keep being told that criminals have rights that need to be respected, but who in the Government is standing up for victims’ rights?”

Ms Sturgeon said she sympathised with the Stewart family and has asked new Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf to meet with them. She also said discussions are already under way with the Parole Board for Scotland.
The petition can be viewed at https://www.change.org/p/scottish-parole-board-stop-john-wilson-being-relocated-to-ayrshire-on-release-from-prison.