A wave of anger has erupted as convicted murderer Stuart Diamond, who has never revealed what he did with his victim’s severed head, is set to be released. The decision by the Parole Board has left many questioning how someone who committed such a brutal crime can be deemed no longer a threat.
In 1997, Diamond lured 17-year-old Christopher Hartley to a flat and strangled him, later dismembering the body. Despite overwhelming evidence of his guilt and his refusal to reveal the location of Christopher’s head, Diamond is now being released after spending nearly 30 years in custody.
This shocking decision has been met with fierce opposition, especially from Christopher’s mother, Jean Hartley. She has fought tirelessly to keep Diamond behind bars, arguing that his silence about her son’s remains is reason enough for him to not be released. Jean describes the murder as having caused “unimaginable suffering,” and the prospect of seeing Diamond back in society understandably terrifies her.
While the Parole Board believes Diamond is fit to integrate back into the community—thanks to improved behaviour and no recent evidence of violence—there are still strict conditions placed on his release. These include curfews, monitored supervision, and restrictions on who he can contact.
Christopher’s heartbroken family has launched a petition to reform parole laws, arguing that those convicted of murder should not bypass serving time in a mainstream prison before becoming eligible for parole. They believe mental health care, while important, should not replace accountability for such severe crimes, arguing that this can undermine justice and add to victims’ families’ grief.
This case raises tough questions about criminal justice, victim rights, and rehabilitation. Do you think the Parole Board made the right decision? Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts below. And if you want to support Christopher’s family’s cause, consider checking out their petition.