The Ministry of Justice is launching a final, urgent bid to block the release of a notorious killer, 36 years after he brutally murdered a respected doctor in his own home.
A Heinous Crime and a Judge's Warning
In 1990, 25-year-old Reginald Wilson tricked his way into the Middlesbrough home of consultant dermatologist Dr David Birkett, 56, by posing as a parcel delivery driver. Once inside, Wilson launched a ferocious attack, bludgeoning the doctor 17 times with a hammer. The murder was so violent that Cleveland Police described it as one of the worst they had ever encountered.
The victim's teenage daughter, just 16 at the time, made the horrific discovery of her father's body. Wilson was convicted of murder in 1991 at Durham Crown Court. The sentencing judge declared Wilson so dangerous that he should spend the rest of his life behind bars, stating he should die in prison.
A Troubling Path Through the Justice System
Wilson's original life sentence was later altered to a 30-year minimum term following appeals, a decision that horrified Dr Birkett's family. Throughout his incarceration, Wilson, who has since changed his name to Reginald Zenshen, demonstrated continued violence and contempt for authority.
While awaiting trial, he was accused of attempting to murder a prison officer. After his conviction, he attempted to escape from Frankland Prison in 1996 and tried to stab an officer the following year, leading to his placement in a high-security exceptional risk unit. Police also uncovered an arsenal at his home, including a sawn-off shotgun and homemade weapons.
During the initial murder investigation, Wilson taunted police with sickening letters, boasting that the killing gave him a "buzz better than smack" and mocking his victim's profession.
Parole Controversy and a Government Challenge
In October 2025, the Parole Board decided Wilson was fit for release, citing his "good progress" in open conditions and a lack of significant concerns. The panel noted he had shown no violence towards staff or prisoners since 1999 and claimed to have made a conscious decision to change.
However, Justice Secretary David Lammy immediately requested a reconsideration, which the Parole Board refused. Undeterred, the Ministry of Justice has now made a "one last bid" to halt the release, applying for a fresh review after new information came to light.
The MoJ stated: "This was a heinous crime, and our thoughts are with the friends and family of David Birkett. We have asked the Parole Board to revisit its decision after new information came to light." The board holds the power to set aside a decision if circumstances change after it is made.
This last-minute intervention means the fate of Reginald Wilson, a killer whose actions shocked a community and whose potential release continues to provoke profound concern, once again hangs in the balance.
