I WANT TO BE A SERIAL KILLER
Ex-soldier who murdered dog walker had told docs before that it was his fantasy Investigation of mental health dealings ordered as he’s convicted of knifing horror
FORMER commando Alexander Palmer said he wanted to be a serial killer – before knifing pensioner Peter Wrighton to death in a horrific attack.
The 24-year-old was free to murder dog walker Peter, 83, despite having told mental health workers that was exactly what he wanted to do.
Mr Wrighton’s daughter Carol, 58, yesterday said details of Palmer’s mental health treatment “shocked, astounded and angered” the family.
She spoke after learning Palmer had told psychologists of his “grudge” against dog walkers and dreamed of cutting their throats.
He also said an imaginary person called “Little Alex” told him to kill.
As he walked his dogs, Gemma and Dylan, Mr Wrighton was nearly decapitated by Palmer who knifed him at least 30 times.
A “serious review” was launched into Palmer’s dealings with NHS teams after a jury at Nottingham crown
This really shouldn’t have happened. Mental health professionals let us down VICTIM’S DAUGHTER CAROL ON PALMER’S HEALTH CARE
court took just 44 minutes to convict the ex-29 Commando who had denied murder. He will be jailed for life today.
But Carol said: “This should not have happened. Mental health professionals failed him, his family and our family.”
Palmer told of his dream to be a “serial killer” in his notes found by police after the murder, sources told the Mirror. “He basically admitted he was a trainee serial killer,” said the source.
In another note, which health workers were also unaware of, Palmer said he would commit a historic killing. He wrote: “None shall leave an imprint as great as mine.”
Palmer was not under supervision at the time of the killing. But he had previously told mental health staff: “I’ll carry out the act of hurting someone. It could be anyone.” A psychologist noted: “He said he’s thinking of going for dog walkers. He said he’d tie them up and cut them open.” He was caught after an NHS psychologist saw reports of the crime, realised he did it and told police. A picture of a knife was found on Palmer’s phone, although the murder weapon has not been found. But the victim’s DNA was found on his jacket.
After his arrest, he claimed to officers he had been “discharged” two months before the killing. Palmer, of Bawdeswell, Norfolk, also told them he was still taking his medication.
But in notes he said: “I took myself off after a year or so. I said it was because I didn’t need them but the real reason was I missed Alex.”
Mr Wrighton, a retired BT engineer of Banham, Norfolk, was so savagely attacked, police initially thought he had been killed by a wild animal when his body was found in woods in East Harling, Norfolk, last August.
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust said a full investigation is “likely to take place”. But in a statement it insisted staff had “raised concerns” with police about Palmer.
The trust was put in special measures by the Care Quality Commission in October over patient care fears.
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on mental health treatment Palmer is said to have had at RAF Marham in Norfolk before he left the military in 2015 after suffering head injuries in an assault by a soldier.
Palmer shook his head yesterday as jurors gave the unanimous verdict.
His victim’s son Andrew, 54, said: “I’ve no sympathy for him... but we have every sympathy for his family.”
He said his mum Anne, 79, “will never recover”. “All she has now are the dogs. It’s her life. She’s doing her best for them. It reminds her of him.”