HENRY WILLIAMSON'S SHOCKING RELEASE FROM GOREBRIDGE PRISON SPARKS OUTRAGE IN VICTIM'S FAMILY

After serving an extensive 22-year sentence, Henry Williamson, a man convicted of the brutal murder of a nine-year-old boy, is now on the verge of being released from prison, a development that has deeply unsettled the family of his young victim. Despite his seemingly ordinary appearance, Williamson, who is often seen wearing a high-visibility jacket and has bleached blonde hair, is a convicted child murderer preparing to re-enter society.

The family of Neil Wyse, the young boy from Gorebridge who was murdered in 1992, expressed their profound distress and frustration over the decision to allow Williamson to work unsupervised, specifically in a role involving rubbish collection. The Scottish Prison Service had notified the family months ago through a letter that Williamson was scheduled for release, but they claim to have had little to no input or opportunity to voice their concerns during the process.

This distressing news comes just days after Michael Gove, the newly appointed Secretary of State for Justice, publicly committed to reforming Britain’s legal system, citing its failure to adequately serve victims of crime. Neil’s father, David Wyse, aged 53, voiced his vehement opposition, stating, “Williamson shouldn’t be let loose after what he did to my son. We received a phone call informing us about his parole a couple of years ago, along with a letter, but since then, we’ve heard nothing. Williamson should die in jail.”

On Thursday, Williamson was observed outside Greenock prison, appearing relaxed and unconcerned as he engaged in litter picking. Standing approximately 6 feet 5 inches tall and sporting what appears to be dyed blonde hair, he was allowed to be out alone, just yards from a residential housing estate. The road near Greenock prison, a route frequently used by children heading to school, now bears the presence of a man with a violent past.

Williamson’s heinous crime took place when he was just 19 years old. He murdered Neil Wyse by strangling him with a dog lead while the young boy was walking his dog, Laddie, in Gore Glen Park, Gorebridge, Midlothian. After the murder, Williamson attempted to conceal his guilt by claiming he had found Neil and was trying to save him. Instead, he dumped Neil’s body in a freezing pond, an act that shocked the community.

Initially, police did not suspect foul play, and Williamson, known locally as “Billy Liar” due to his penchant for telling outrageous stories, appeared on television claiming to be a hero for supposedly trying to rescue Neil. Neil lingered in hospital for three days before his parents, Anne and David Wyse, made the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support. Tragically, just an hour after Neil’s death, Anne Wyse went into labor and gave birth to their second son, whom they named David Neil.

Williamson was convicted of murder at the High Court in Edinburgh in 1993 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Despite his conviction, he has been seeking early release, and his case has been subject to appeals. In January 2005, Williamson, then aged 30, launched an appeal to have his sentence reviewed, a move that has caused further anguish for Neil Wyse’s family. David Wyse expressed his fears, stating, “We are very worried and extremely angry. I believe Williamson will murder again if he is released early. The man should be rotting in hell, not just prison.”

The legal landscape surrounding life sentences has recently shifted due to new human rights rules introduced under the European Convention of Human Rights in 2001. These rules mandate that prisoners serve a specific minimum period, and recent judicial reviews have been prompted by an October court case that requires judges to reconsider the factors of retribution, deterrence, and public safety when determining punishment periods. This change has opened the door for many convicted murderers, including Williamson, to seek reductions in their sentences.

Williamson’s case is not isolated; other notorious murderers from Edinburgh, such as John Ian King and William Stewart, have also filed appeals. Legal experts warn that a surge of such cases could flood the courts, with many prisoners hoping for early release. A solicitor from Glasgow commented, “Vans full of murderers will be turning up at the appeals court in Edinburgh over the coming months. The judges are going to be swamped with convicted killers looking to reduce their sentences, and the press will have a field day.”

Henry Williamson, the son of a Pentecostal minister, was only 19 when he was sentenced for the murder of Neil Wyse. The crime took place at Shank Pond in Gorebridge on December 28, 1992, and Neil died three days later at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. The trial revealed that Neil was last seen with Williamson while walking his dog in a nearby park. Williamson later lied on television about his efforts to rescue Neil, further tarnishing his reputation.

Neil’s father, David Wyse, remains in Gorebridge with his family and expressed his ongoing pain and anger. “We feared the worst when we received the call from the procurator fiscal. We thought Williamson was going to be released. It still upsets us that he’s appealing to reduce his sentence. The man should be rotting in hell for what he did. If they let him out early, he’ll just murder another innocent kid,” he said, emphasizing the community’s deep-seated fears and grief.