Millie Dowler’s killer admits to the murders of Lane and Megan Russell, says attorney

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Millie Dowler’s killer, Levi Belfield, has confessed to killing Lynne Russell and her daughter Megan, a lawyer said.

Michael Stone is currently serving three life sentences for the murders of Mrs. Russell and her six-year-old daughter, who were found clubbed to death in Chillinden, Kent in July 1996.

Stone’s attorney said he had received a “genuine” four-page statement from Bielfield detailing his involvement in the killings, implying that his client had suffered a miscarriage of justice.

Millie’s killer is believed to be the only criminal in UK legal history to serve two life sentences – for her murder and the murder of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.

Lynne Russell and her daughter Megan were found beaten to death in 1996 (Handout/PA)

(PA Media)

Paul Bacon told the Palestinian News Agency: “I can say that I received a four-page statement from Bielefeld, which is a real admission, it’s an absolutely amazing breakthrough.

“I will now meet my colleagues who have been following this remarkable development to finally obtain, after many years, freedom for Michael Stone. This is the evidence that will prove his innocence.”

The alleged confession will be referred to the Criminal Cases Review Committee (CCRC).

The Sun newspaper reported on Sunday that the document included details of what he was wearing and how he escaped.

Michael Stone is currently serving three life sentences (John Stillwell/PA)

(PA archive)

Attorney Mark MacDonald said on Twitter on Saturday: “For more than 21 years, I have represented Michael Stone who was wrongfully convicted of the Chilinden murders.

Tomorrow it will be announced that Levi Bielefeld has made a full written confession of the crimes.

Michael Stone is innocent and should be immediately released from prison.

“Stone has been in prison for 26 years despite a lot of evidence that this is a miscarriage of justice.”

Russell’s other daughter, Josie, then nine, was seriously injured in the head in the attack and the family dog, Lucy, was killed.

Stone’s attorney, Paul Bacon, said he received a document (Yui Mok/PA)

(PA archive)

Last year, MacDonald said the finding of the luggage compartment at the scene could be “quite huge” and crucial evidence.

He said there was “no forensic evidence, and absolutely no identification evidence” against Stone, and said the bootlace could produce DNA that “undoubtedly points away” from his client.

Kent police said their position on Stone’s conviction had not changed.

Chief Detective Paul Furringham of Kent Police said: “After two trials in which Stone was convicted by jury on both occasions, and an appeal to the Supreme Court, Michael Stone remains convicted of the murders of Lane and Megan Russell, and the 1996 attempted murder of Josie Russell.

“Michael Stone filed an application for judicial review in relation to his conviction in September 2012. Judge Blake ordered Mr. Judge that leave to file the application should be refused.

“The Criminal Case Review Committee began an extensive re-examination of the murder investigation in 2017 and had access to all forensic evidence, documents and papers from the original investigation, review by Hampshire Police, and details of trials and appeals in the Crown Court of the Supreme Court.

“The shoelace seized as part of the original investigation was made available to the CCRC. All evidence from the examinations of the shoelace was recorded and disclosed to the CCRC.”

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