Suzy Lamplugh Suspect John Cannan Denied Prison Transfer After Disturbing Novel Revelation

John Cannan, the suspected killer of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, was denied transfer to an open prison after admitting he had written a novel with elements of rape while incarcerated. The Mirror reveals that Cannan, 70, had been jailed in 1989 for at least 35 years for the murder of Shirley Banks, 29, along with other kidnap and sex offenses.

Cannan was named the prime suspect in the 1986 murder of Suzy Lamplugh in 2002 but has consistently maintained his innocence. Probation officials and psychologists had initially supported his bid to move to an open prison last year. However, they reversed their decision when Cannan disclosed that he had written books in prison, including one featuring scenes of sexual violence.

A document from the hearing states: “As part of his evidence at the hearing [Cannan] revealed that there was another novel of his which included scenes of sexual violence including rape. Both the community offender manager and the prison psychologist gave evidence after [Cannan]. And in light of his evidence about the other novel they decided they could no longer support a transfer to open conditions as, in their opinion, there was core work arising out of the evidence of the graphic scenes of sexual violence which needed to be done in closed conditions.”

Cannan argued that the sexual content in his book was contextual rather than gratuitous and claimed it was not relevant to his risk assessment. Despite his appeal against the decision not to direct his release, Sir John Saunders rejected his claim that the Parole Board hearing was procedurally unfair.

Cannan received a whole-life tariff, later reduced to a 35-year minimum, for the murder of Shirley Banks in Bristol in October 1987. Banks was abducted, held at Cannan’s flat, and killed by a blow to the head with a rock. Her naked body was found at Dead Woman’s Ditch in Somerset. Cannan was also convicted of the attempted kidnap of Julia Holman and the rape of a woman in Reading a year earlier.

Suzy Lamplugh disappeared after going to meet “Mr. Kipper,” according to her diary, to show him around a house in Fulham, West London. Cannan, nicknamed “Kipper” by those at a bail hostel where he lived, was never prosecuted for Lamplugh’s disappearance due to insufficient evidence.

The revelation of Cannan’s writing activities and the content of his novels has renewed discussions about his behavior and potential risks, keeping him in closed conditions for further assessment and ensuring public safety remains a priority.