Murderer jailed for life after beating then strangling his pregnant partner got job with retailer Next by changing his name via deed poll
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A murderer serving life for strangling his pregnant partner got a job with Next after changing his name via deed poll.
Darren Appleyard, who is serving time at an open prison, took a role at a warehouse as part of a work experience scheme.
Next had no idea of his true identity or criminal history and accused the Prison Service of withholding vital information which would have made him ineligible.
Appleyard, 52, beat and strangled his partner, Lisa Collings, 29, when she was 22 weeks pregnant in a savage murder witnessed by Ms Collings’ five-year-old daughter.
After he was found guilty in 2007, the ‘highly dangerous bully’ was told he would serve a minimum of 17 years before he is eligible for parole.
Darren Appleyard, who is serving time at an open prison, took a role at a warehouse as part of a work experience scheme. Pictured right: His victim, Lisa Collings
The work experience scheme for prisoners was launched in 2018 but is closed to serious offenders including murderers and rapists.
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Anyone accepted on the scheme undergoes risk assessments by the Prison Service and Next and are paid the same as other staff.
Next said that Appleyard worked in the warehouse for a week before his real name came to light, The Sun reported.
It said: ‘We have been let down by the Prison Service as disclosure was not as it should have been.’
Ms Collings’ father, Gerry, 67, called the revelation ‘scandalous’.
Appleyard is set to be released from HMP Hatfield, an open prison in Doncaster, south Yorkshire, next year.
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: ‘Prisoners only ever take part in work experience after robust risk assessments.’
The full details of Appleyard’s horrific actions were revealed at his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Next had no idea of his true identity or criminal history and accused the Prison Service of withholding vital information which would have made him ineligible
Ms Collings’ daughter witnessed the attack while Appleyard’s two children from a previous marriage, a nine-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy, were also in a room downstairs at the family home in Wigan.
The court heard how Ms Colling’s daughter ran downstairs and told the children: ‘Your daddy is going to kill my mummy.’
Andrew Edis, QC, prosecuting, called the attack, which happened after the couple had a row about child care, ‘serious and sustained’.
Judge Gerald Clifton told him: ‘You are a highly dangerous bully when it comes to your women folk.’
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