A convicted killer from Perth, Robbie Smullen, has once again been denied parole, five years into a nine-year sentence for the fatal stabbing of a young man in the Fair City. This latest decision by The Parole Board for Scotland marks the second time Smullen’s application for early release has been refused, reigniting discussions around the current parole system and its impact on grieving families across Perthshire.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, a significant development for the victim’s family who have tirelessly advocated for justice. Smullen was incarcerated following his conviction for the culpable homicide of 22-year-old Barry Dixon. The tragic incident occurred on June 4, 2019, at a flat located in Wallace Court, a residential area within Perth. The court determined that Smullen was responsible for Dixon’s death by knifing him.
This recent rejection follows a previous denial last October, meaning that Smullen’s pursuit of freedom has been a recurring concern for the victim’s relatives. Barry Dixon’s aunt, Jade Taylor, has confirmed that the Parole Board has scheduled Smullen’s next review for July 2026. This extended period between hearings aligns more closely with Ms. Taylor’s earlier request for at least a year’s间隔 between reviews, a plea born from the emotional toll of frequent proceedings.
Under existing Scots Law, individuals serving sentences like Smullen’s are automatically considered for parole annually once they reach the halfway point of their term. This legislative framework, while intended to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration, has inadvertently placed an immense and recurring burden on victims’ families, forcing them to relive their trauma with each successive hearing.
Expressing profound relief at the board’s decision, Ms. Taylor articulated the family’s ongoing struggle. “We feel massively relieved Smullen will remain in prison,” she stated. She emphasized the critical need for systemic changes, reiterating the family’s unwavering support for the impactful ‘A Voice for Victims’ campaign. This initiative champions a comprehensive overhaul of the parole system, aiming to prevent the ongoing suffering inflicted upon those left behind by violent crime.
The core tenet of the ‘A Voice for Victims’ campaign, which has garnered considerable support across the Perth and Kinross community, is the cessation of automatic annual parole considerations for violent offenders once they reach the halfway mark of their sentences. Instead, the campaign advocates for a system that prioritises the well-being of victims, ensuring enhanced communication and greater transparency throughout the parole process. Ms. Taylor passionately questioned the rationale behind a system that mandates repeated parole hearings for violent criminals, arguing that they should simply serve their full sentence, thereby affording victims a much-needed period of peace and closure.
The momentum for parole reform appears to be building at a national level. A public consultation on the matter is anticipated to commence in the coming month, an announcement made earlier this year by Justice Secretary Angela Constance. Furthermore, the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament, is expected to incorporate significant reforms pertaining to parole regulations. These legislative efforts offer a glimmer of hope for families like the Dixons, who yearn for a more victim-centric approach to justice.
The continuous efforts of Perthshire families, advocating for a more compassionate and transparent parole system, underscore a wider demand for judicial processes that truly prioritize the long-term emotional and psychological recovery of victims and their loved ones. The unwavering determination of local advocates like Jade Taylor ensures that the voices of those affected by serious crime continue to be heard in the halls of power, pushing for changes that promise greater peace and less recurrent trauma for communities throughout Scotland.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, a significant development for the victim’s family who have tirelessly advocated for justice. Smullen was incarcerated following his conviction for the culpable homicide of 22-year-old Barry Dixon. The tragic incident occurred on June 4, 2019, at a flat located in Wallace Court, a residential area within Perth. The court determined that Smullen was responsible for Dixon’s death by knifing him.
This recent rejection follows a previous denial last October, meaning that Smullen’s pursuit of freedom has been a recurring concern for the victim’s relatives. Barry Dixon’s aunt, Jade Taylor, has confirmed that the Parole Board has scheduled Smullen’s next review for July 2026. This extended period between hearings aligns more closely with Ms. Taylor’s earlier request for at least a year’s间隔 between reviews, a plea born from the emotional toll of frequent proceedings.
Under existing Scots Law, individuals serving sentences like Smullen’s are automatically considered for parole annually once they reach the halfway point of their term. This legislative framework, while intended to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration, has inadvertently placed an immense and recurring burden on victims’ families, forcing them to relive their trauma with each successive hearing.
Expressing profound relief at the board’s decision, Ms. Taylor articulated the family’s ongoing struggle. “We feel massively relieved Smullen will remain in prison,” she stated. She emphasized the critical need for systemic changes, reiterating the family’s unwavering support for the impactful ‘A Voice for Victims’ campaign. This initiative champions a comprehensive overhaul of the parole system, aiming to prevent the ongoing suffering inflicted upon those left behind by violent crime.
The core tenet of the ‘A Voice for Victims’ campaign, which has garnered considerable support across the Perth and Kinross community, is the cessation of automatic annual parole considerations for violent offenders once they reach the halfway mark of their sentences. Instead, the campaign advocates for a system that prioritises the well-being of victims, ensuring enhanced communication and greater transparency throughout the parole process. Ms. Taylor passionately questioned the rationale behind a system that mandates repeated parole hearings for violent criminals, arguing that they should simply serve their full sentence, thereby affording victims a much-needed period of peace and closure.
The momentum for parole reform appears to be building at a national level. A public consultation on the matter is anticipated to commence in the coming month, an announcement made earlier this year by Justice Secretary Angela Constance. Furthermore, the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament, is expected to incorporate significant reforms pertaining to parole regulations. These legislative efforts offer a glimmer of hope for families like the Dixons, who yearn for a more victim-centric approach to justice.
The continuous efforts of Perthshire families, advocating for a more compassionate and transparent parole system, underscore a wider demand for judicial processes that truly prioritize the long-term emotional and psychological recovery of victims and their loved ones. The unwavering determination of local advocates like Jade Taylor ensures that the voices of those affected by serious crime continue to be heard in the halls of power, pushing for changes that promise greater peace and less recurrent trauma for communities throughout Scotland.