Family of Leeds woman say the 'worry isn't over yet' as killer denied prison release
The parole board turned down his bid to leave open prison
The sister of a Leeds woman stabbed and dismembered by a ‘monster' killer has told of her relief that he has lost his bid to be freed from jail.
Naomi Carrack, 53, heard the news that a parole board had turned down Martin Bell's bid to leave an open prison yesterday (Tuesday October 5).
But she fears the good news will be short-lived because Bell, 57, can challenge the decision to refuse him parole.
Bell had sought parole after serving 12 years for the brutal killing of Naomi's 23-year-old sister Gemma Simpson.
Naomi, of Otley, said: "It's good news for now, because he is where he should be.
"But the worry isn't over. I think it's going to be short-lived."
Bell attacked Gemma at his flat in Harrogate in May 2000 after being released from a psychiatric hospital.
He dismembered her body and buried her remains at Brimham Rocks, a National Trust beauty spot near Pateley Bridge.
It wasn’t until July 2014 that Bell walked into a police station in Scarborough, confessed to killing Gemma and told officers where he had buried her.
Naomi expects Bell to appeal after he previously overturned a decision blocking his transfer to an open prison.
The family says they still do not know why his release was refused and have asked officials for an explanation.
She said: "I'm expecting him to get it overturned because every time he has always had it the way he wants.
"I'm obviously glad, but I have no doubt he will appeal it."
Naomi was on holiday in Benidorm with her husband when she received the news that Bell's bid had been denied.
Bell admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2014.
He received a minimum term of 12 years, reduced to 11 years and 205 days to account for time already spent in custody.
The Parole Board recommended in 2025 that Bell be transferred from a closed jail into open conditions ahead of becoming eligible for release.
Naomi wrote what she called a "pleading letter" to Shabana Mahmood, then Justice Secretary, urging her to stop the move.
The transfer was initially blocked, but Bell challenged that decision successfully and entered open conditions after it was overturned last December.
That experience has left Naomi unable to trust that the latest refusal will stand.
Before the decision, she warned that she believed Bell could kill again if released.
Gemma would have celebrated her 50th birthday this year.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board confirmed that Bell's bid had been refused, adding that the panel "examined a huge range of evidence" in making the decision.
The evidence included details of the crime, "any evidence of behaviour change" and the "impact the crime has had on the victims".
The spokesperson added: "Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course.
"The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice."