Convicted killer makes ‘full’ confession

Martin Brown, who previously denied killing Keith Slater in Hessle, near Hull, has given police the name of man he claims organised the killing and gave him the murder weapon.

A third man, who lives abroad, is also suspected of being involved in the murder.

Retired chief superintendent Colin Andrews said Brown had expressed “genuine remorse”.

He went on to add: “I am satisfied there were three people involved; Martin Brown delivered the fatal blow, but two others were involved to a lesser degree in the planning of it.

“We have submitted a number of reports to the Crown Prosecution Service who have carefully considered the evidence but there is insufficient evidence to charge either of them or to extradite anybody to this country. I am ever optimistic that will change.”

He said: “If he (the third man) appears on British territory he will be immediately arrested and brought to Hull for questioning.”

Mr Slater was killed by a single stab wound to the neck after answering a knock at the door of his home, early on August 27, 1988.

He died in the arms of his wife Carol as the attacker fled.

Mr Andrews said: “In court Brown denied it and said he had been fitted up, but he changed his position completely. He believed Kevin Slater had done something and Kevin Slater hadn’t – he was totally, utterly innocent, but because of that belief he says that is what motivated him to come and kill Kevin Slater.

“He never met him – he didn’t even know what he looked like.”

Brown was convicted of Mr Slater’s murder in 2007 following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

He was extradited from Australia in 2006 after emigrating to New South Wales.