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Man who spent 31 years in jail for murder committed as a child no longer "a risk to society", court told
Summary
In a High Court hearing, the barrister for Roy Norman Kenyon argued that the 64‑year‑old, who served 31 years in prison for a 1971 murder committed as a child, no longer poses a risk to society and should not be extradited to the UK. Kenyon, who escaped to Ireland in 2003 and lived under the alias Alan McPherson for 15 years, is now facing potential return to the UK to continue his life sentence. The court heard that Kenyon had been drinking at a public house on the night of the crime, then attacked Margaret Potts with a poker. He was arrested in Eyeries, Co Cork, in May 2018. The barrister contended that Kenyon's behaviour in custody shows no unacceptable risk, and that the UK has not committed to reviewing his case before 2021. Justice Aileen Donnelly will decide on May 21, after remanding Kenyon in custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who spent 31 years in jail for murder committed as a child no longer "a risk to society", court told. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2, 2018 Incident
- May 21 Adjournment
- 2019-04-08 Publication
Why: The barrister said his client is now an adult but was sentenced as a child and was considered to be at greater risk to society than the average prisoner because he had spent a longer time in custody. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: The barrister said his client is now an adult but was sentenced as a child and was considered to be at greater risk to society than the average prisoner because he had spent a longer time in custody. He said that his client is likely to find himself "back in the twilight zone" of having his life sentence reviewed every two years and further conditions being imposed.; Kenyon was remanded in custody until then.
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