Danielle Jones's killer begins new freedom bid

Danielle Jones's body has never been found

The Parole Board is to consider whether a man who murdered his 15-year-old niece can be released from prison.

Danielle Jones was on her way to catch a bus to school in East Tilbury, Essex, when she disappeared on 18 June 2001.

Her uncle, Stuart Campbell, was jailed for life in December 2002 for her kidnap and murder and told he would serve at least 20 years.

A spokesman for The Parole Board said a panel would "carefully examine a huge range of evidence" in due course.

Campbell, 66, had his most recent bid for freedom rejected in January 2023.

Danielle's mother, Linda Jones, previously said she did not want Campbell to be released while he would not reveal where her body was.

Campbell was an uncle by marriage to Danielle

The Parole Board did not provide a date for when the panel would meet.

"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community," the spokesman said.

He added that details of the original crime, any evidence of behavioural change and the harm caused to victims would be analysed.

Evidence from witnesses including psychiatrists and probation officers would be heard, as well as victims' personal statements.

A five-day search for Danielle's body in Thurrock in 2017 proved unsuccessful

The spokesman added: "Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead-up to an oral hearing.

"It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing, which often lasts a full day or more.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."

In 2017, police dug up garages near where Danielle's uncle once lived in Thurrock, believing her body may have been buried there.

But despite a five-day search, no trace of her was found.