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In 1998, the brutal murder of 11-year-old Wesley Neailey sent shockwaves through Newcastle and the entire nation. Wesley was a friendly and happy boy who trusted people easily, but that trust was cruelly exploited when he was lured away by someone he'd recently come into contact with.
The person responsible for his death preyed on Wesley’s innocence, cutting his young life short in a horrifying act of violence. The murder not only devastated his family, but also exposed deeply concerning loopholes in the British legal system.
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Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
davidjohnbrady.com
Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. I list the sources used in each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
References:
Accused blamed gay ad contact. (1999, July 9). Shields Daily Gazette, 8.
Accused was “as normal.” (1999, July 8). Shields Daily Gazette, 8.
Appeal to epileptic boy, 11. (1998, June 17). Shropshire Star, 15.
Blacklock, M. (1999, July 24). Scandal of the paedophile freed to rape and kill a boy aged 11. Daily Express, 6.
Blood on car, jury is told. (1999, July 15). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 9.
Boy was raped and killed jury told. (1998, July 7). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 2.
Boy’s body was hidden in grass. (1999, July 14). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 4.
Callous paedophile gets life for murder. (1999, July 24). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 17.
Campaign starts to tie up loopholes. (1999, October 7). Blyth News Post Leader, 18.
Child killer is rape appeal. (1999, December 1). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 18.
“Child killer very calm.” (1999, July 7). Daily Mirror, 12.
Crickmer, C., & Dennis, S. (1999, July 24). EVIL CHILD ABUSER WHO WAS SET FREE TO MURDER. Daily Mirror, 23.
Epileptic boy still missing. (1998, June 8). The Scotsman, 2.
Family to sue. (2000, January 20). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 3.
Family’s plea to missing boy, 11. (1998, June 17). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 18.
Fears for boy’s safety. (1998, June 26). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 4.
Hall, S., & Lake, E. (2024, October 3). Child killer Dominic McKilligan refused prison release. BBC News. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0gy76rdjeo
HUGE HUNT FOR MISSING LAD, 11. (1998, June 8). Daily Mirror, 9.
Hunt for missing epileptic boy, 11. (1998, June 8). Belfast News-Letter, 2.
In court. (1998, July 6). Halifax Evening Courier, 1.
Inquest told of hidden body. (1998, July 23). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 2.
Jones, C., & Goodwin, N. (2024, February 23). Paedophile child killer wins legal battle that could see him freed. Chronicle Live. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/paedophile-killer-jailed-murder-11-28687102
Jury told: put aside emotions. (1999, July 23). Shields Daily Gazette, 8.
Killer not to go on sex register. (2000, March 14). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 18.
Killer paedophile set to appeal against sentence. (1999, October 7). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 4.
Killer wins appeal. (2000, March 14). Shields Daily Gazette, 2.
Lessons to be learned from murder. (2001, November 14). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 9.
Man charged over boy’s death. (1998, July 6). The Scotsman, 5.
Marland, I. (1999, July 24). Child murderer slipped through sex offender list. The Scotsman, 4.
Mother received college apology. (2001, February 28). Shropshire Star, 15.
Murder case review. (1999, July 24). Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, 4.
Murder trial to start. (1998, July 6). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 5.
Police make fresh plea to trace missing Wesley. (1998, June 29). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 3.
Search for boy goes on. (1998, June 9). Shields Daily Gazette, 3.
Sex attack denied. (1999, July 7). Birmingham Mail, 7.
Smith, G. (1999, July 24). Student jailed for sex killing of boy, 11. Daily Record, 7.
Student raped and killed boy jury told. (1999, July 7). Shields Daily Gazette, 8.
Teen tells of fatal accident. (1999, July 21). Liverpool Daily Post, 4.
Teenager remanded on murder. (1998, July 6). Shields Daily Gazette, 10.
Trial delayed by arguments. (1999, July 5). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 7.
Wesley is laid to rest. (1998, July 29). Shields Daily Gazette, 3.
Wesley: Lad is charged. (1998, July 6). Daily Mirror, 24.
Wesley search stepped up. (1998, June 25). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 2.
Wesley: youth is quizzed. (1998, July 3). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 19.
Wesley’s death “an accident.” (1999, July 21). Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 5.
