Murderer who dumped wife's body at sea refused parole

David Gibson appeared in television appeals following his wife's disappearance

A murderer who smothered his wife and dumped her body at sea has been refused parole.

David Gibson, 52, is serving life imprisonment for the killing of his wife, Belinda, in 2002.

The Parole Board said it "was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public".

It has instead recommended that Gibson is moved to an open prison.

Gibson, assisted by his father, Leslie, killed his 32-year-old wife at their Southampton home.

Following the murder, he made several televised appeals, urging her to come home.

After the pair had been found guilty, Gibson confessed to dumping his wife's body in The Solent.

Gibson received a mandatory life sentence with a minimum tariff of 18 years and nine months. He was 33 years old at the time.

The latest hearing was Gibson's second review by the Parole Board.

He first became eligible to be considered for release in April 2023.

A final decision on the Parole Board's recommendation will be made by the Secretary of State.