Hired killer who murdered boy, 5, on Greater Manchester street in bid to escape jail
24.02.2024 - 09:27
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A 'hired killer' who gunned down a five-year-old boy in the street has had a bid for freedom rejected by the Parole Board. Paul Seddon was convicted of shooting dead Dillon Hull in Bolton in August 1997 and jailed for a minimum of 25 years.
But, following a hearing, the Parole Board has rejected his application for release with officials believing he still poses a risk. The board also rejected Seddon's request to move to an open prison.
Seddon was wearing a motorcycle helmet when he leapt out of the shadows and fired four shots at Dillon and the little boy's stepfather John Bates as they walked along Bankfield Street, Deane holding hands.
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One bullet hit the boy in the head and another hit Mr Bates, who survived. Preston Crown Court heard that Seddon, then 27, was paid £5,000 to shoot Mr Bates, who it was said, had fallen out with gangland drugs boss Billy Webb.
Mr Justice Forbes described his crime as 'truly appalling' and said the hitman had 'never shown the slightest remorse'.
He said: "You brought sudden terror and violence to the residential streets of Bolton on that warm summer's afternoon. You also brought death.
"But not to your intended victim. You only wounded him. You brought death to an innocent little boy who had the tragic misfortune to be holding your target's hand at the time you opened fire."
Two others were jailed for a total of 34 years for their part in planning the assassination of Mr Bates. Seddon, of Chorley New Road, Bolton, was also found guilty of attempting to murder Mr Bates in the bungled execution.
Webb, 42, was shot dead at his Wigan home in 2001.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: "We can confirm that a panel of the