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{{short description|British serial killer}}
{{short description|British serial killer}}
{{distinguish|Patrick McKay|Pat McKay}}
{{About|the British serial killer|the American screenwriter|J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay{{!}}Patrick McKay|the Scottish martial artist|Pat McKay}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{EngvarB |date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{use dmy dates |date=November 2017}}
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{{infobox serial killer
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| image = Patrick Mackay.jpg
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| birthname = Patrick David Mackay
| alias = {{ubl
| David Groves<ref name="Releasedenied2021"/>
| The Psychopath<ref name="LSM"/>
| The Devil's Disciple<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>
⚫
}}
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age |1952|9|25 |df=yes}}
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| birth_place = [[Middlesex]], England<ref>{{cite book |title=The Murder Almanac |isbn=978-1-89778-404-4 |page=113}}</ref>
| height = {{convert|6|ft|2|in}}
| victims = 3&ndash;11
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| country = United Kingdom
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| beginyear = February 1974
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| endyear = March 1975
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| apprehended = March 1975
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| penalty = [[Life imprisonment]], 20-years minimum term
| conviction = [[Manslaughter]] (1975)
}}
'''David Groves''',<ref name="Leclere"/> better known by his birth name '''Patrick David Mackay''' (born 25&nbsp;September 1952), is a British [[serial killer]] who is believed to be one of the United Kingdom's most prolific serial murderers.<ref name="LSM"/>


He was convicted of three counts of manslaughter and two additional cases which were left to [[lie on file]]. Detectives said he confessed in remand to the murders of six more people across London, Essex and Kent in England between 1973 and 1975. All of them were found to match existing unsolved murders.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ramsland |first=Katherine |author-link=Katherine Ramsland |title=British Maniac Patrick Mackay |url=https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/13.html |website=[[Crime Library]]}}</ref>
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{{Infobox serial killer
| name=Patrick Mackay
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| image=Patrick Mackay.jpg
| caption=
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| birthname=Patrick David Mackay
| alias=David Groves<ref name="Releasedenied2021" /><br />The Psychopath<ref name="LSM">{{cite AV media |people=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |date=2002 |title=London's Scariest Mysteries: Patrick Mackay |trans-title= |type=TV documentary |language= |url= |access-date= |archive-url= |archive-date= |format= |time= |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= }}</ref><br />The Devil's Disciple<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
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| birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1952|9|25}}
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| birth_place= [[Middlesex]], England, UK<ref>''The Murder Almanac'' {{ISBN|978-1-89778-404-4}} p. 113</ref>
| death_date=
| cause=
| height = 6 ft 2 in (1.88

m)
| victims=3–13
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| country=United Kingdom
| states=
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| beginyear=February 1974&nbsp;
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| endyear=&nbsp;March 1975
⚫
| apprehended=March 1975
⚫
| penalty=[[Life imprisonment]] (20-year minimum term)
⚫
}}
'''David Groves''',<ref name="Leclere" /> better known by his birth name '''Patrick David Mackay''' (born 25&nbsp;September 1952), is a British [[serial killer]] who is believed to be one of the United Kingdom's most prolific serial murderers.<ref name="LSM" /> He confessed to murdering thirteen people across [[London]], [[Essex]] and [[Kent]] in England between 1973 and 1975.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc">{{cite web |author1=David Wilson |author1-link=David Wilson (criminologist) |title=First Kill, Last Kill: Patrick Mackay |url=https://ok.ru/video/1070078298671|publisher=Channel 5 |access-date=4 September 2021 |format=TV Documentary |date=2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Patrick Mackay Crime Files|url=https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/patrick-mackay|url-status=live|website=Crime+Investigation UK}}</ref> After retracting his confessions to nine of the killings, he was convicted of three counts of manslaughter; two additional cases were left to [[lie on file]] and police later found proof that he had killed one of these two victims. All of his confessions were found to match existing unsolved murders in and around London, and no one else has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for these officially still-unsolved crimes. He also attempted to kill a boy as a child.


Officially diagnosed as a psychopath at the age of fifteen, Mackay has been repeatedly denied [[parole]] since 1995 on the basis that he is considered too dangerous for release, although in recent years has been incarcerated in [[open prison]] conditions with day release provisions.<ref name="Leclere">{{cite news |last1=Leclere |first1=Matt |title=Serial killer Patrick Mackay to remain in prison for murder of Kent catholic priest Anthony Crean in Shorne, near Gravesend in 1975 |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/killer-denied-release-for-death-of-kent-priest-247216/ |access-date=4 September 2021 |work=KentOnline |date=14 May 2021}}</ref> In 2020, authorities launched fresh inquiries into his suspected murders, but they were unable to find sufficient evidence.<ref name="Leclere" /> [[Dartford (UK Parliament constituency)|Dartford]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] [[Gareth Johnson]] has repeatedly voiced his concerns over Mackay's potential release.<ref name="2019KO" /><ref name="releaseattempt2020" /> In July 2022, it was revealed that Mackay's case had been referred to the Parole Board again.<ref name="July2022">{{cite news |title=Serial killer Patrick Mackay who murdered priest with axe in Kent could be freed from prison |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/serial-killer-could-be-back-on-streets-this-year-270792/ |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=KentOnline |date=25 July 2022}}</ref>
Officially diagnosed as a [[Psychopathy|psychopath]] at the age of fifteen, Mackay has been repeatedly denied [[parole]] since 1995 on the basis that he is considered too dangerous for release, although since 2017 he has been incarcerated in [[open prison]] conditions with day release provisions.<ref name="Leclere"/> In 2020, authorities launched fresh inquiries into his suspected murders, but they were unable to find sufficient evidence.<ref name="Leclere"/> Former [[Dartford (UK Parliament constituency)|Dartford]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] [[Gareth Johnson]] has repeatedly voiced his concerns over Mackay's potential release.<ref name="2019KO"/><ref name="releaseattempt2020"/> In July 2022, it was revealed that Mackay's case had been referred to the Parole Board again.<ref name="July2022"/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Mackay was born at Park Royal Hospital, now known as [[Central Middlesex Hospital]] in [[London]]. He grew up with his parents and sisters in [[Dartford]], [[Kent]].<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> His parents were Harold Mackay, a Scottish accountant, and Marion Mackay, a woman of [[Creole peoples|creole]] descent from Guyana. His two sisters were born later in 1954 and 1957.
Mackay was born at Park Royal Hospital, now known as [[Central Middlesex Hospital]] in [[London]]. He grew up with his parents and sisters in [[Dartford]], [[Kent]].<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> His parents were Harold Mackay, a Scottish accountant, and Marion Mackay, a woman of [[Creole peoples|Creole]] descent from Guyana. His two sisters were born later in 1954 and 1957.


As a child, Mackay was a frequent victim of [[physical abuse]] at the hands of his father.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Mackay would perform poorly on his academic grades, bully his younger classmates and frequently have tantrums. A classmate would later describe Mackay as "like a little [[terrorist]]" who physically attacked other pupils.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> He also engaged in cruelty to animals and often tore the wings off birds.<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
As a child, Mackay was a frequent victim of [[physical abuse]] at the hands of his father.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Mackay would perform poorly on his academic grades, bully his younger classmates and frequently have tantrums. A classmate would later describe Mackay as "like a little [[terrorist]]" who physically attacked other pupils.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> He also engaged in cruelty to animals and often tore the wings off birds.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>


When Mackay was ten years old, Harold (his father) died from a [[heart attack]] on his way to work – the result of complications of [[alcoholism]] and a weak heart. His last words to his son were, "Remember to be good".<ref name="Born to Kill?" /><ref>[http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/2.html Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002015/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/2.html |date=1 April 2008 }} – [[Crime Library]] article part 2</ref> Mackay was supposedly unable to come to terms with the loss of his father, telling people Harold was still alive and keeping a photograph of him on his person. He did not go to the funeral in Scotland based on his mother's recommendation.
When Mackay was ten years old, Harold died from a [[heart attack]] on his way to work – the result of complications of [[alcoholism]] and a weak heart. His last words to his son were, "Remember to be good".<ref name="Born to Kill?"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/2.html |title=Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002015/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/2.html |archive-date=2008-04-01 |website=[[Crime Library]]}}</ref> Mackay was supposedly unable to come to terms with the loss of his father, telling people Harold was still alive and keeping a photograph of him on his person. He did not go to the funeral in Scotland based on his mother's recommendation.


Later, he assumed the role of '[[father figure]]' within the family, beating his mother and sisters.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Mackay's mother eventually moved the family to [[Gravesend]] from [[Dartford]], but family life did not improve and the police were called to the home as frequently as four times a week.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> He was prone to extreme [[tantrum]]s and fits of anger, beating his mother and sister.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> He also attempted to kill a boy younger than himself, and later said he would have succeeded had he not been restrained.<ref name="crimelibrary.com">[http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/4.html Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002025/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/4.html |date=1 April 2008 }} – Crime Library article part 4</ref> At 15, Mackay was diagnosed as a [[psychopath]] by a [[psychiatrist]], Dr Leonard Carr, who predicted he would grow up to become a "cold, psychopathic killer."<ref name="crimelibrary.com" /><ref name="Born to Kill?" /> He was removed from his family home on eighteen occasions between the ages of 12 and 22 and put into various specialist schools, institutions and prisons.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> One of his teachers at a specialist school described him as "a potential murderer of women".<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> In October 1968, Mackay was committed to [[Ashworth Hospital|Moss Side Hospital]], [[Liverpool]], as a diagnosed psychopath.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> He was released in 1972.<ref>[http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/5.html British maniac Patrick Mackay and the system's Failure]</ref>
Later, he assumed the role of '[[father figure]]' within the family, beating his mother and sisters.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Mackay's mother eventually moved the family to [[Gravesend]] from [[Dartford]], but family life did not improve and the police were called to the home as frequently as four times a week.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> He was prone to extreme [[tantrum]]s and fits of anger, beating his mother and sister.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> He also attempted to kill a boy younger than himself, and later said he would have succeeded had he not been restrained.<ref name="crimelibrary.com"/> At 15, Mackay was diagnosed as a [[psychopath]] by a [[psychiatrist]], Dr Leonard Carr, who predicted he would grow up to become a "cold, psychopathic killer."<ref name="crimelibrary.com"/><ref name="Born to Kill?"/> He was removed from his family home on eighteen occasions between the ages of 12 and 22 and put into various specialist schools, institutions and prisons.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> One of his teachers at a specialist school described him as "a potential murderer of women".<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> In October 1968, Mackay was committed to [[Ashworth Hospital|Moss Side Hospital]], [[Liverpool]], as a diagnosed psychopath.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> He was released in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/5.html |title=British maniac Patrick Mackay and the system's Failure}}</ref>


==Crimes in adulthood==
==Crimes in adulthood==
As he entered adulthood, Mackay developed a fascination with [[Nazism]], calling himself "Franklin Bollvolt the First" and filling his flat with Nazi memorabilia.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> He lived in London and frequently abused drugs and alcohol.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" />
As he entered adulthood, Mackay developed a fascination with [[Nazism]], calling himself "Franklin Bollvolt the First" and filling his flat with Nazi memorabilia.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> He lived in London and frequently abused drugs and alcohol.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/>


===London theft and murder spree===
===London theft and murder spree===
Following Mackay's release in 1972, the affluent London areas of [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] and [[Knightsbridge]] were engulfed by a wave of petty crimes.<ref name="Born to Kill?">{{cite AV media |people=''[[Born to Kill?]]'' |date=20 August 2013 |title=Patrick Mackay: The Devil's Disciple |trans-title= |type=TV documentary |language= |url= |access-date= |archive-url= |archive-date= |format= |time= |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= }}</ref> Known for being home to the wealthiest London residents and full of luxury shops and high-end restaurants, the areas suddenly saw a massive, unexplained rise in [[muggings]], robberies and handbag snatchings.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> The attacks specifically targeted elderly ladies, and the unidentified attacker would befriend these women and gain access to their homes before committing their crimes.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> It would later be found that Mackay was behind these crimes.<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
Following Mackay's release in 1972, the affluent London areas of [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] and [[Knightsbridge]] were engulfed by a wave of petty crimes.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Known for being home to the wealthiest London residents and full of luxury shops and high-end restaurants, the areas suddenly saw a massive, unexplained rise in [[muggings]], robberies and handbag snatchings.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> The attacks specifically targeted elderly ladies, and the unidentified attacker would befriend these women and gain access to their homes before committing their crimes.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> It would later be found that Mackay was behind these crimes.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>


On 14 February 1974, 84-year-old Isabella Griffith was physically assaulted, strangled and stabbed in her home in Chelsea by Mackay.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /><ref name="LSM" /> Police were unable to identify him as the perpetrator and the muggings and petty thefts continued in the area.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Thirteen months later, on 10 March 1975, elderly Adele Price was also killed in her Chelsea home by Mackay who had entered her property asking for a glass of water.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /><ref name="LSM" /> Her granddaughter was coming home at the time and, without knowing, passed the killer as he left the premises after attacking the woman.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Police were concerned the crime spree and the killings of the two women were linked.<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
On 14 February 1974, 84-year-old Isabella Griffith was physically assaulted, strangled and stabbed in her home in Chelsea by Mackay.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/><ref name="LSM"/> Police were unable to identify him as the perpetrator and the muggings and petty thefts continued in the area.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Thirteen months later, on 10 March 1975, elderly Adele Price was also killed in her Chelsea home by Mackay who had entered her property asking for a glass of water.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/><ref name="LSM"/> Her granddaughter was coming home at the time and, without knowing, passed the killer as he left the premises after attacking the woman.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Police were concerned the crime spree and the killings of the two women were linked.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>


===Killing of Father Crean===
===Killing of Father Crean===
Some miles away on 21 March 1975, priest Father Anthony Crean was brutally killed in his home in [[Shorne]], [[Kent]], near to the home of Mackay's mother.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Crean had been attacked with an [[axe]] in a frenzied attack, with the weapon being found at the scene.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Mackay had been seen in the area by multiple witnesses.<ref name="LSM" />
Some miles away on 21 March 1975, priest Father Anthony Crean was brutally killed in his home in [[Shorne]], [[Kent]], near to the home of Mackay's mother.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Crean had been attacked with an [[axe]] in a frenzied attack, with the weapon being found at the scene.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Mackay had been seen in the area by multiple witnesses.<ref name="LSM"/>


An investigating police officer remembered an incident that had occurred some months earlier involving the young Mackay, who had befriended the priest only to break into his home and steal a cheque for £30.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Although Crean tried to persuade the police not to do so, Mackay was arrested and [[prosecution|prosecuted]] at the time. He was subsequently ordered to pay compensation but never did.<ref name="LSM" /> The incident caused a rift between Mackay and Crean, and the former had returned to London.<ref>[http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/9.html Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002040/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/9.html |date=1 April 2008 }} – Crime Library article part 9</ref> After the incident was recalled by the officer, police arrested Mackay, who quickly admitted to killing Crean.<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
An investigating police officer remembered an incident that had occurred some months earlier involving the young Mackay, who had befriended the priest only to break into his home and steal a cheque for £30.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Although Crean tried to persuade the police not to do so, Mackay was arrested and [[prosecution|prosecuted]] at the time. He was subsequently ordered to pay compensation but never did.<ref name="LSM"/> The incident caused a rift between Mackay and Crean, and the former had returned to London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/9.html |title=Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002040/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/9.html |archive-date=2008-04-01 |website=[[Crime Library]]}}</ref> After the incident was recalled by the officer, police arrested Mackay, who quickly admitted to killing Crean.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>


===Links to previous crimes discovered===
===Links to previous crimes discovered===
After his arrest for the murder of Father Crean, Mackay's fingerprints were taken, which were found to match those found at the scene of Adele Price's death.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /> Jewellery and silver fountain pens were found in Mackay's home which had come from robberies he had committed in the Chelsea and [[Belgravia]] areas.<ref name="LSM" /> Mackay took detectives to an area of [[Clapham]] where he said he had thrown a knife he used in his killings.<ref name="LSM" /> The [[Metropolitan Police]] began to investigate Mackay and he was found to have committed many other of the unsolved murders and crimes in the London area.<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
After his arrest for the murder of Father Crean, Mackay's fingerprints were taken, which were found to match those found at the scene of Adele Price's death.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/> Jewellery and silver fountain pens were found in Mackay's home which had come from robberies he had committed in the Chelsea and [[Belgravia]] areas.<ref name="LSM"/> Mackay took detectives to an area of [[Clapham]] where he said he had thrown a knife he used in his killings.<ref name="LSM"/> The [[Metropolitan Police]] began to investigate Mackay and he was found to have committed many other of the unsolved murders and crimes in the London area.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>


===Confessions===
===Confessions===
{{See also|List of unsolved murders in the United Kingdom (1970s)}}
{{See also|List of unsolved murders in the United Kingdom (1970s)}}
Having willingly confessed to Crean's murder, Mackay then unexpectedly confessed to a series of unsolved murders, 13 in total.<ref name="Born to Kill?" /><ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> Most of these murders were unknown to the interviewing officers, but investigators checked his descriptions of the killings and found they indeed matched details of unsolved murders that had occurred in and around London.<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
At first, he confessed to police of murdering Anthony Crean, Isabella Griffiths and Adele Price. But when Mackay was on remand at [[HM Prison Brixton|HMP Brixton]], detectives got information from other prisoners that he had killed six more people.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ramsland |first=Katherine |author-link=Katherine Ramsland |title=British Maniac Patrick Mackay: In Custody |url=https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/13.html |website=[[Crime Library]]}}</ref><ref name="Born to Kill?"/><ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/> Most of these murders were unknown to the interviewing officers. Detectives checked his descriptions of some of the killings and found they indeed matched details of unsolved murders that had occurred in and around London.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>


Mackay stated in interviews that his first murder had been of 17-year-old German [[au pair]] Heidi Mnilk, who was murdered on 9 July 1973.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> Mackay had stabbed her on a train before opening the door and throwing her out near [[Catford]].<ref name="Born to Kill?" /><ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> He further stated that he had killed a drunken homeless man by throwing him off a bridge into the Thames in January 1974.<ref name="Kent2019">{{cite news |title=Patrick Mackay: The heinous crimes of Kent's forgotten serial killer |url=https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/patrick-mackay-heinous-crimes-kents-3513734 |access-date=4 September 2021 |work=KentLive |date=7 November 2019}}</ref> Mackay also confessed to the murders of 57-year-old Stephanie Britton and her 4-year-old grandson Christopher Martin on 12 January 1974, saying he had only killed the child as he had been a witness.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> He confessed also to the murder of Frank Goodman on 13 June 1974, who had been kicked to death over a pack of cigarettes.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> He went on to confess to the murder of 92-year-old Sarah Rodmell in her flat in [[Hackney, London|Hackney]] on 23 December 1974, saying that he had nailed the back door shut and put her stockings in her mouth, and that "killing her was as easy as washing my socks".<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> He also confessed to the murder of 48-year old Café owner Ivy Davies in [[Southend]] in February 1975, saying he killed her by beating her with a tent peg.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /><ref name="SundayTelegraph">{{cite news |title=The 11 crimes once linked to killer Patrick Mackay |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph/20190616/281754155838005 |access-date=4 September 2021 |work=The Sunday Telegraph |date=16 June 2019}}</ref> This was accurate as she had been found to have been beaten to death with some sort of metal bar, and Mackay admitted that he knew of Davies and considered robbing her.<ref name="SouthendEcho">{{cite news |title=Essex and Kent serial killer Patrick Mackay could be freed |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20516731.essex-kent-serial-killer-patrick-mackay-freed/ |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=Southend Echo |date=25 July 2022}}</ref> He was also then heard bragging about Davies's murder while on remand in [[Brixton Prison]].<ref name="SouthendEcho" /> The three other murders he confessed to were the 1973 murder of Mary Hynes in [[Kentish Town]] and the murders of Isabella Griffith and Adele Price in 1974 and 1975 respectively.<ref name="KentOnline2019">{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lynn |title=Former DI Ken Tappenden talks about Kent's forgotten serial killer Patrick Mackay |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/kents-forgotten-serial-killer-202699/ |access-date=4 September 2021 |work=KentOnline |date=15 April 2019}}</ref>
The first of the unsolved murders, was of 17-year-old German [[au pair]] Heidi Mnilk, murdered on 9 July 1973.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/> Witnesses said the killer had stabbed her on a train before opening the door and throwing her out near [[Catford]].<ref name="Born to Kill?"/><ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/> The second unsolved murder was of Mary Hynes, murdered in Kentish Town on 20 July 1973. The third: Mackay confessed that he had killed a drunken homeless man by throwing him off a bridge into the [[River Thames]] in January 1974.<ref name="Kent2019"/> The fourth and fifth murders were of 57-year-old Stephanie Britton and her 4-year-old grandson Christopher Martin on 12 January 1974.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/> The sixth murder was of Frank Goodman on 13 June 1974, who had been beaten to death with a metal bar over a pack of cigarettes. Mackay's landlords recognised the bar from their house.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/> The seventh: Mackay allegedly confessed to the murder of 92-year-old Sarah Rodmell in her flat in [[Hackney, London|Hackney]] on 23 December 1974, saying that he had nailed the back door shut and put her stockings in her mouth, and that "killing her was as easy as washing my socks".<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/> The eighth murder was of 48-year old café owner Ivy Davies in [[Southend]] in February 1975; the killer had beaten her with a tent peg.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/><ref name="SundayTelegraph"/> Mackay confessed that he knew of the shop and considered robbing her, but when he was driven to view her café and nearby home, he could not recognise them.<ref name="SouthendEcho"/>


Investigators concluded that Mackay had been the perpetrator of the mugging and theft spree in Chelsea and Kensington, crimes which were previously unsolved.<ref name="Born to Kill?" />
Investigators concluded that Mackay had been the perpetrator of the mugging and theft spree in Chelsea and Kensington, crimes which were previously unsolved.<ref name="Born to Kill?"/>


Mackay later retracted his confessions to all but four of the murders (Griffith, Price, Crean and the homeless man he said he had thrown from a bridge in January 1974).<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> This meant that there was insufficient evidence to charge him for more than five murders.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /><ref name="KentOnline2019" /> Police were unable to identify the homeless victim Mackay said he had killed in January 1974.<ref name="Kent2019" />
Mackay denied his confessions to all but four of the murders (Griffiths, Price, Crean and the homeless man he said he had thrown from a bridge in January 1974).<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/> This meant that there was insufficient evidence to charge him for more than five murders.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/><ref name="KentOnline2019"/> Police were unable to identify the homeless victim Mackay said he had killed in January 1974.<ref name="Kent2019"/>


===Trial===
===Trial===
At his trial in November 1975, Mackay was convicted of the manslaughter of Adele Price, Isabella Griffith and Father Anthony Crean after pleading guilty on the grounds of [[diminished responsibility]].<ref name="Kent2019" /><ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /><ref name="LSM" /> Due to insufficient evidence he was not convicted of the murders of Goodman or Hynes, but the cases were left to [[lie on file]].<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /><ref name="Kent2019" /><ref name="KentOnline2019" /><ref name="SundayTelegraph" /> Police later found evidence which proved he had killed Frank Goodman.<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" /> He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years.<ref name="KentOnline2019" /><ref name="Kent2019" />
At his trial in November 1975, Mackay was convicted of the manslaughter of Adele Price, Isabella Griffith and Father Anthony Crean after pleading guilty on the grounds of [[diminished responsibility]].<ref name="Kent2019"/><ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/><ref name="LSM"/> Further evidence of his involvement in the murder of Frank Goodman was found. But these were insufficient and he was not convicted of the murders of Goodman or Hynes and the cases were left to [[lie on file]].<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/><ref name="Kent2019"/><ref name="KentOnline2019"/><ref name="SundayTelegraph"/> He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years.<ref name="KentOnline2019"/><ref name="Kent2019"/>


Mackay's defence team had pleaded insanity, but medical experts instead concluded that he was a [[psychopath]] (a personality disorder and not a mental disorder).<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc" />
Mackay's defence team had pleaded insanity, but medical experts instead concluded that he was a [[psychopath]] (a personality disorder and not a mental disorder).<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc"/>


==Subsequent developments==
==Subsequent developments==
In 1989, he appeared briefly in a BBC documentary ''Forty Minutes'' episode titled "Danger Men" aired in February 1990. Mackay spent time in Hull Prison, where a special unit was set up to deal with one of the "most dangerous and difficult prisoners" in the country. As Mackay is asked if he considers himself a psychopath, he replies: "There is never any suggestion in my mind that I was ever a psychopath".<ref>{{cite web |title=Danger Men |url=https://search.alexanderstreet.com/preview/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C2097498 |website=Alexander Street |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)}}</ref>
In 1989, he appeared briefly in a BBC documentary ''Forty Minutes'' episode titled "Danger Men". Mackay spent time in Hull Prison, where a special unit was set up to deal with one of the "most dangerous and difficult prisoners" in the country. As Mackay was asked if he was a psychopath, he replied: "There is never any suggestion in my mind that I was ever a psychopath if somebody use that criteria".<ref>{{cite web |title=Danger Men |url=https://search.alexanderstreet.com/preview/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C2097498 |website=[[Alexander Street]] |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref>


Mackay's minimum tariff was 20 years, meaning that he became eligible for release in 1995.<ref name="Releasedenied2021">{{cite news |title=Serial killer Patrick Mackay to remain in prison for murder of Kent catholic priest Anthony Crean in Shorne, near Gravesend in 1975 |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/killer-denied-release-for-death-of-kent-priest-247216/ |access-date=30 April 2022 |work=KentOnline |date=14 May 2021}}</ref> He has been repeatedly denied full release by the parole board.<ref name="Releasedenied2021" /> In 2017 he was permitted to move to an [[open prison]] with day release provisions.<ref name="Releasedenied2021" /> In 2019 [[Dartford (UK Parliament constituency)|Dartford]] [[Member of Parliament (UK)|MP]] [[Gareth Johnson]] voiced concern at the potential release of Mackay, raising the issue in [[House of Commons (United Kingdom)|parliament]] and writing to the [[Secretary of State for Justice]].<ref name="2019KO">{{cite news |title=Dartford MP voices concerns over potential release of serial killer Patrick Mackay |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/we-dont-want-a-dangerous-individual-back-on-the-streets-of-kent-204363/ |access-date=30 April 2022 |work=KentOnline |date=13 May 2019}}</ref>
Mackay's minimum tariff was 20 years, meaning that he became eligible for release in 1995.<ref name="Releasedenied2021"/> He has been repeatedly denied full release by the parole board.<ref name="Releasedenied2021"/> In 2017 he was permitted to move to an [[open prison]] with day release provisions.<ref name="Releasedenied2021"/> In 2019 [[Dartford (UK Parliament constituency)|Dartford]] [[Member of Parliament (UK)|MP]] [[Gareth Johnson]] voiced concern at the potential release of Mackay, raising the issue in [[House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Parliament]] and writing to the [[Secretary of State for Justice]].<ref name="2019KO"/>


In June 2020 Mackay was again considered for release.<ref name="releaseattempt2020" /> The hearing of the Parole Board was postponed amidst a fresh investigation into Mackay's involvement in the murders to which he had previously confessed, and which he was still suspected of having committed (no one else has ever been arrested or charged for these murders).<ref name="releaseattempt2020">{{Cite web|last=Hunter|first=Chris|date=10 June 2020|title=Release of serial killer Patrick Mackay delayed amidst fresh investigation|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/serial-killers-release-delayed-amidst-murder-probe-228542/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=11 June 2020|website=Kent Online|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Releasedenied2021" /> In May 2021 the Parole Board announced he would not be eligible for release but could remain in open prison conditions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-14|title=Killer denied release for death of Kent priest|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/killer-denied-release-for-death-of-kent-priest-247216/|access-date=2021-07-15|website=Kent Online|language=en}}</ref><ref name="ES2021">{{cite news |title=Killer jailed in 1975 'not suitable for release' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/the-old-bailey-kent-london-roman-catholic-b935045.html |access-date=30 April 2022 |work=Evening Standard |date=13 May 2021}}</ref>
In 2020 Mackay was again considered for release.<ref name="releaseattempt2020"/> The hearing of the Parole Board was postponed amidst a fresh investigation into Mackay's involvement in the murders to which he was suspected.<ref name="releaseattempt2020"/><ref name="Releasedenied2021"/> In May 2021 the Parole Board announced he would not be eligible for release but could remain in open prison conditions.<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-05-14 |title=Killer denied release for death of Kent priest |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/killer-denied-release-for-death-of-kent-priest-247216/ |access-date=2021-07-15 |website=[[Kent Online]]}}</ref><ref name="ES2021"/>


In July 2022, it was revealed that Mackay's case had once again been referred to the Parole Board.<ref name="July2022" /> The son of Ivy Davies said that he was outraged by the announcement but was unable to give an account to the Parole Board of the impact of Mackay's crimes as Mackay was not convicted of her murder.<ref name="SouthendEcho" /> Commenting, he stated: "Everyone knows he did more. He hasn’t shown any remorse. But there's not a lot I can do about it."<ref name="SouthendEcho" />
In 2022, it was revealed that Mackay's case had once again been referred to the Parole Board.<ref name="July2022"/> The son of Ivy Davies said that he was outraged by the announcement but was unable to give an account to the Parole Board of the impact of Mackay's crimes as Mackay was not convicted of her murder.<ref name="SouthendEcho"/> Commenting, he stated: "Everyone knows he did more. He hasn’t shown any remorse. But there's not a lot I can do about it."<ref name="SouthendEcho"/>


Mackay has been imprisoned for 47 years as of 2022.<ref name="Releasedenied2021" />
Mackay has been imprisoned for 48 years {{as of|lc=y|2023}}.<ref name="Releasedenied2021"/>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
===Documentaries===
===Documentaries===
Mackay's crimes have been featured in a number of documentaries:
Mackay's crimes have been featured in a number of documentaries:
*In 2002, an [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] documentary titled ''London's Scariest Mysteries: Patrick Mackay'' documented his crimes.{{sfn|Lucas|2019|p=Bibliography}}
* In 2002, an [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] documentary titled ''London's Scariest Mysteries: Patrick Mackay'' documented his crimes.<ref name="lucas"/>
*On 7 October 2012, a series 2 episode of [[Fred Dineage]]'s ''Murder Casebook'' series (alternatively titled ''Murders that Shook the Nation'') covered Mackay's crimes. The episode was titled: ''Patrick Mackay: The Psychopath''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fred-Dinenage-Murder-Casebook/dp/B076FQBGVG |website=Prime Video |publisher=Amazon |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref>
* On 7 October 2012, a series 2 episode of [[Fred Dinenage]]'s ''Murder Casebook'' series (alternatively titled ''Murders that Shook the Nation'') covered Mackay's crimes. The episode was titled: ''Patrick Mackay: The Psychopath''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fred-Dinenage-Murder-Casebook/dp/B076FQBGVG |website=[[Prime Video]] |publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] |access-date=2022-04-30}}</ref>
*On 20 August 2013, a series 5 episode of ''[[Born to Kill?]]'' documented Mackay's crimes. The episode was titled ''Patrick Mackay: The Devil's Disciple''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Born to Kill? Series 5 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-17ot38/born-to-kill-season-5/ |website=RadioTimes.com |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref>
* On 20 August 2013, a series 5 episode of ''[[Born to Kill?]]'' documented Mackay's crimes. The episode was titled ''Patrick Mackay: The Devil's Disciple''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Born to Kill? Series 5 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-17ot38/born-to-kill-season-5/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=2022-04-30}}</ref>
*On 1 January 2015, a series 1 episode of high-profile [[criminologist]] [[David Wilson (criminologist)|David Wilson's]] series ''First Kill/Last Kill'' focused on Mackay's crimes.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Kill Last Kill |url=https://www.primevideo.com/detail/First-Kill-Last-Kill/0JGJ5UBLSVB4ZIVKBWL4K0PXVI/ref=atv_nb_lcl_en_US?ie=UTF8 |website=Prime Video |publisher=Amazon |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref>
* On 1 January 2015, a series 1 episode of high-profile [[criminologist]] [[David Wilson (criminologist)|David Wilson's]] series ''First Kill/Last Kill'' focused on Mackay's crimes.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Kill Last Kill |url=https://www.primevideo.com/detail/First-Kill-Last-Kill/0JGJ5UBLSVB4ZIVKBWL4K0PXVI/ref=atv_nb_lcl_en_US?ie=UTF8 |website=[[Prime Video]] |publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] |access-date=2022-04-30}}</ref>
*On 1 February 2023, a documentary titled ''Confessions of a Psycho Killer'' was released on Amazon Prime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Confessions of a Psycho Killer |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/placeholder_title/dp/B0B64TNQ8F |website=Prime Video |publisher=Amazon |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
* On 1 February 2023, a documentary titled ''Confessions of a Psycho Killer'' was released on Amazon Prime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Confessions of a Psycho Killer |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/placeholder_title/dp/B0B64TNQ8F |website=Prime Video |publisher=Amazon |access-date=2023-02-01}}</ref>


===Books===
===Books===
*In 1976 authors Tim Clark and John Penycate published a book on Mackay titled ''Psychopath: The Case of Patrick Mackay''. It was published by [[Routledge]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Psychopath: The Case of Patrick Mackay - Tim Clark, John Penycate - Google Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-w9BAQAAIAAJ | isbn=9780710084026 |access-date=1 May 2022| last1=Clark | first1=Tim | last2=Penycate | first2=John | year=1976 }}</ref>
* In 1976 authors Tim Clark and John Penycate published a book on Mackay titled ''Psychopath: The Case of Patrick Mackay''. It was published by [[Routledge]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Tim |last2=Penycate |first2=John |title=Psychopath: The Case of Patrick Mackay |date=1976 |publisher=Routledge and K. Paul |location=London |isbn=9780710084026 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-w9BAQAAIAAJ |access-date=2022-05-01}}</ref>
*In 2019 a book on Mackay's murders and alleged murders was released by author John Lucas, titled ''Britain's Forgotten Serial Killer: The Terror of the Axeman''.<ref name="ITV2019">{{cite news |title=Concerns over possible release of Kent priest's killer |url=https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2019-04-12/concerns-over-possible-release-of-kent-priests-killer |access-date=30 April 2022 |work=ITV News |date=12 April 2019}}</ref>{{sfn|Lucas|2019}} The book contributed to the rising concerns of Mackay's possible release.<ref name="ITV2019" />
* In 2019 a book on Mackay's murders and alleged murders was released by author John Lucas, titled ''Britain's Forgotten Serial Killer: The Terror of the Axeman''.<ref name="ITV2019"/><ref name="lucas"/> The book contributed to the rising concerns of Mackay's possible release.<ref name="ITV2019"/>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of serial killers in the United Kingdom]]
* [[List of serial killers in the United Kingdom]]
*[[List of serial killers by number of victims]]
* [[List of serial killers by number of victims]]
* [[John Cannan]]{{snd}}murderer and suspected killer of [[Suzy Lamplugh]], also eligible for parole in 2022
*[[Open prison#Open prisons in the United Kingdom|List of open prisons in the United Kingdom]] – MacKay has since 2017 been held in one of England's 12 open prisons
*[[John Cannan]] – murderer and suspected killer of [[Suzy Lamplugh]], also eligible for parole in 2022
* [[Allan Grimson]]{{snd}}another British killer suspected of killing dozens of victims who is now eligible for release
⚫
* [[Jordan Worth]]{{snd}}high-profile UK female criminal released from prison in 2022 (abuser of [[Alex Skeel]])
*[[Allan Grimson]] – another British killer suspected of killing dozens of victims who is now eligible for release
⚫
*[[Jordan Worth]] – high-profile UK female criminal released from prison in 2022 (abuser of [[Alex Skeel]])


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Releasedenied2021">{{cite news |title=Serial killer Patrick Mackay to remain in prison for murder of Kent catholic priest Anthony Crean in Shorne, near Gravesend in 1975 |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/killer-denied-release-for-death-of-kent-priest-247216/ |access-date=2022-04-30 |work=[[Kent Online]] |date=2021-05-14}}</ref>

<ref name="LSM">{{cite AV media |people=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |date=2002 |title=London's Scariest Mysteries: Patrick Mackay |type=[[TV documentary]]}}</ref>
==Bibliography==
<ref name="Leclere">{{cite news |last1=Leclere |first1=Matt |title=Serial killer Patrick Mackay to remain in prison for murder of Kent catholic priest Anthony Crean in Shorne, near Gravesend in 1975 |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/killer-denied-release-for-death-of-kent-priest-247216/ |access-date=2021-09-04 |work=[[Kent Online]] |date=2021-05-14}}</ref>
*{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Tim |last2=Penycate |first2=John |title=Psychopath: The Case of Patrick Mackay |date=1976 |publisher=Routledge and K. Paul |location=London |isbn=9780710084026}}
<ref name="July2022">{{cite news |title=Serial killer Patrick Mackay who murdered priest with axe in Kent could be freed from prison |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/serial-killer-could-be-back-on-streets-this-year-270792/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |work=[[Kent Online]] |date=2022-07-25}}</ref>
⚫
*{{cite book |last1=Lucas |first1=John |title=Britain's Forgotten Serial Killer: The Terror of the Axeman |date=2019 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=9781526748850}}
<ref name="crimelibrary.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/4.html |title=Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002025/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/patrick_mackay/4.html |archive-date=2008-04-01 |website=[[Crime Library]]}}</ref>

<ref name="First Kill, last Kill doc">{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=David |author-link=David Wilson (criminologist) |date=2014 |title=First Kill, Last Kill: Patrick Mackay |url=https://ok.ru/video/1070078298671 |access-date=2021-09-04 |publisher=[[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] |format=[[TV documentary]]}}</ref>
==External links==
⚫
<ref name="lucas">{{cite book |last=Lucas |first=John |title=Britain's Forgotten Serial Killer: The Terror of the Axeman |date=2019 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=9781526748850}}</ref>
*[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3gzgs2 2013 ''Born to Kill?'' documentary on Mackay]
<ref name="Born to Kill?">{{cite AV media |people=''[[Born to Kill?]]'' |date=2013-08-20 |title=Patrick Mackay: The Devil's Disciple |type=[[TV documentary]]}}</ref>
*[https://ok.ru/video/1070078298671 2015 ''First Kill/Last Kill'' documentary on Mackay]
<ref name="Kent2019">{{cite news |title=Patrick Mackay: The heinous crimes of Kent's forgotten serial killer |url=https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/patrick-mackay-heinous-crimes-kents-3513734 |access-date=2021-09-04 |work=[[KentLive]] |date=2019-11-07}}</ref>
<ref name="SundayTelegraph">{{cite news |title=The 11 crimes once linked to killer Patrick Mackay |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph/20190616/281754155838005 |access-date=2021-09-04 |work=[[The Sunday Telegraph]] |date=2019-06-16}}</ref>
<ref name="SouthendEcho">{{cite news |title=Essex and Kent serial killer Patrick Mackay could be freed |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20516731.essex-kent-serial-killer-patrick-mackay-freed/ |access-date=2022-07-26 |work=[[The Echo (Essex)|The Echo]] |date=2022-07-25}}</ref>
<ref name="releaseattempt2020">{{cite web |last=Hunter |first=Chris |date=2020-06-10 |title=Release of serial killer Patrick Mackay delayed amidst fresh investigation |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/serial-killers-release-delayed-amidst-murder-probe-228542/ |access-date=2020-06-11 |website=[[Kent Online]]}}</ref>
<ref name="KentOnline2019">{{cite news |last=Cox |first=Lynn |date=2019-04-15 |title=Former DI Ken Tappenden talks about Kent's forgotten serial killer Patrick Mackay |work=[[Kent Online]] |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/kents-forgotten-serial-killer-202699/ |access-date=2021-09-04}}</ref>
<ref name="ES2021">{{cite news |title=Killer jailed in 1975 'not suitable for release' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/the-old-bailey-kent-london-roman-catholic-b935045.html |access-date=2022-04-30 |work=[[Evening Standard]] |date=2021-05-13}}</ref>
<ref name="ITV2019">{{cite news |title=Concerns over possible release of Kent priest's killer |url=https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2019-04-12/concerns-over-possible-release-of-kent-priests-killer |access-date=2022-04-30 |work=[[ITV News]] |date=2019-04-12}}</ref>
<ref name="2019KO">{{cite news |title=Dartford MP voices concerns over potential release of serial killer Patrick Mackay |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/we-dont-want-a-dangerous-individual-back-on-the-streets-of-kent-204363/ |access-date=2022-04-30 |work=[[Kent Online]] |date=2019-05-13}}</ref>
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mackay, Patrick}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mackay, Patrick}}
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[[Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by England and Wales]]
[[Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by England and Wales]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male serial killers]]

Latest revision as of 02:33, 19 December 2024

Not to be confused with Patrick McKay or Pat McKay.

Patrick Mackay
Born
Patrick David Mackay

(1952-09-25) 25 September 1952 (age 72)
Middlesex, England[4]
Other names
  • David Groves[1]
  • The Psychopath[2]
  • The Devil's Disciple[3]
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Conviction(s)Manslaughter (1975)
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment, 20-years minimum term
Details
Victims3–11
Span of crimes
February 1974 – March 1975
CountryUnited Kingdom
Date apprehended
March 1975

David Groves,[5] better known by his birth name Patrick David Mackay (born 25 September 1952), is a British serial killer who is believed to be one of the United Kingdom's most prolific serial murderers.[2]

He was convicted of three counts of manslaughter and two additional cases which were left to lie on file. Detectives said he confessed in remand to the murders of six more people across London, Essex and Kent in England between 1973 and 1975. All of them were found to match existing unsolved murders.[6]

Officially diagnosed as a psychopath at the age of fifteen, Mackay has been repeatedly denied parole since 1995 on the basis that he is considered too dangerous for release, although since 2017 he has been incarcerated in open prison conditions with day release provisions.[5] In 2020, authorities launched fresh inquiries into his suspected murders, but they were unable to find sufficient evidence.[5] Former Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has repeatedly voiced his concerns over Mackay's potential release.[7][8] In July 2022, it was revealed that Mackay's case had been referred to the Parole Board again.[9]

Early life

[edit]

Mackay was born at Park Royal Hospital, now known as Central Middlesex Hospital in London. He grew up with his parents and sisters in Dartford, Kent.[3] His parents were Harold Mackay, a Scottish accountant, and Marion Mackay, a woman of Creole descent from Guyana. His two sisters were born later in 1954 and 1957.

As a child, Mackay was a frequent victim of physical abuse at the hands of his father.[3] Mackay would perform poorly on his academic grades, bully his younger classmates and frequently have tantrums. A classmate would later describe Mackay as "like a little terrorist" who physically attacked other pupils.[3] He also engaged in cruelty to animals and often tore the wings off birds.[3]

When Mackay was ten years old, Harold died from a heart attack on his way to work – the result of complications of alcoholism and a weak heart. His last words to his son were, "Remember to be good".[3][10] Mackay was supposedly unable to come to terms with the loss of his father, telling people Harold was still alive and keeping a photograph of him on his person. He did not go to the funeral in Scotland based on his mother's recommendation.

Later, he assumed the role of 'father figure' within the family, beating his mother and sisters.[3] Mackay's mother eventually moved the family to Gravesend from Dartford, but family life did not improve and the police were called to the home as frequently as four times a week.[3] He was prone to extreme tantrums and fits of anger, beating his mother and sister.[3] He also attempted to kill a boy younger than himself, and later said he would have succeeded had he not been restrained.[11] At 15, Mackay was diagnosed as a psychopath by a psychiatrist, Dr Leonard Carr, who predicted he would grow up to become a "cold, psychopathic killer."[11][3] He was removed from his family home on eighteen occasions between the ages of 12 and 22 and put into various specialist schools, institutions and prisons.[3] One of his teachers at a specialist school described him as "a potential murderer of women".[3] In October 1968, Mackay was committed to Moss Side Hospital, Liverpool, as a diagnosed psychopath.[3] He was released in 1972.[12]

Crimes in adulthood

[edit]

As he entered adulthood, Mackay developed a fascination with Nazism, calling himself "Franklin Bollvolt the First" and filling his flat with Nazi memorabilia.[3] He lived in London and frequently abused drugs and alcohol.[13]

London theft and murder spree

[edit]

Following Mackay's release in 1972, the affluent London areas of Chelsea and Knightsbridge were engulfed by a wave of petty crimes.[3] Known for being home to the wealthiest London residents and full of luxury shops and high-end restaurants, the areas suddenly saw a massive, unexplained rise in muggings, robberies and handbag snatchings.[3] The attacks specifically targeted elderly ladies, and the unidentified attacker would befriend these women and gain access to their homes before committing their crimes.[3] It would later be found that Mackay was behind these crimes.[3]

On 14 February 1974, 84-year-old Isabella Griffith was physically assaulted, strangled and stabbed in her home in Chelsea by Mackay.[3][2] Police were unable to identify him as the perpetrator and the muggings and petty thefts continued in the area.[3] Thirteen months later, on 10 March 1975, elderly Adele Price was also killed in her Chelsea home by Mackay who had entered her property asking for a glass of water.[3][2] Her granddaughter was coming home at the time and, without knowing, passed the killer as he left the premises after attacking the woman.[3] Police were concerned the crime spree and the killings of the two women were linked.[3]

Killing of Father Crean

[edit]

Some miles away on 21 March 1975, priest Father Anthony Crean was brutally killed in his home in Shorne, Kent, near to the home of Mackay's mother.[3] Crean had been attacked with an axe in a frenzied attack, with the weapon being found at the scene.[3] Mackay had been seen in the area by multiple witnesses.[2]

An investigating police officer remembered an incident that had occurred some months earlier involving the young Mackay, who had befriended the priest only to break into his home and steal a cheque for £30.[3] Although Crean tried to persuade the police not to do so, Mackay was arrested and prosecuted at the time. He was subsequently ordered to pay compensation but never did.[2] The incident caused a rift between Mackay and Crean, and the former had returned to London.[14] After the incident was recalled by the officer, police arrested Mackay, who quickly admitted to killing Crean.[3]

[edit]

After his arrest for the murder of Father Crean, Mackay's fingerprints were taken, which were found to match those found at the scene of Adele Price's death.[3] Jewellery and silver fountain pens were found in Mackay's home which had come from robberies he had committed in the Chelsea and Belgravia areas.[2] Mackay took detectives to an area of Clapham where he said he had thrown a knife he used in his killings.[2] The Metropolitan Police began to investigate Mackay and he was found to have committed many other of the unsolved murders and crimes in the London area.[3]

Confessions

[edit]
See also: List of unsolved murders in the United Kingdom (1970s)

At first, he confessed to police of murdering Anthony Crean, Isabella Griffiths and Adele Price. But when Mackay was on remand at HMP Brixton, detectives got information from other prisoners that he had killed six more people.[15][3][13] Most of these murders were unknown to the interviewing officers. Detectives checked his descriptions of some of the killings and found they indeed matched details of unsolved murders that had occurred in and around London.[3]

The first of the unsolved murders, was of 17-year-old German au pair Heidi Mnilk, murdered on 9 July 1973.[13] Witnesses said the killer had stabbed her on a train before opening the door and throwing her out near Catford.[3][13] The second unsolved murder was of Mary Hynes, murdered in Kentish Town on 20 July 1973. The third: Mackay confessed that he had killed a drunken homeless man by throwing him off a bridge into the River Thames in January 1974.[16] The fourth and fifth murders were of 57-year-old Stephanie Britton and her 4-year-old grandson Christopher Martin on 12 January 1974.[13] The sixth murder was of Frank Goodman on 13 June 1974, who had been beaten to death with a metal bar over a pack of cigarettes. Mackay's landlords recognised the bar from their house.[13] The seventh: Mackay allegedly confessed to the murder of 92-year-old Sarah Rodmell in her flat in Hackney on 23 December 1974, saying that he had nailed the back door shut and put her stockings in her mouth, and that "killing her was as easy as washing my socks".[13] The eighth murder was of 48-year old café owner Ivy Davies in Southend in February 1975; the killer had beaten her with a tent peg.[13][17] Mackay confessed that he knew of the shop and considered robbing her, but when he was driven to view her café and nearby home, he could not recognise them.[18]

Investigators concluded that Mackay had been the perpetrator of the mugging and theft spree in Chelsea and Kensington, crimes which were previously unsolved.[3]

Mackay denied his confessions to all but four of the murders (Griffiths, Price, Crean and the homeless man he said he had thrown from a bridge in January 1974).[13] This meant that there was insufficient evidence to charge him for more than five murders.[13][19] Police were unable to identify the homeless victim Mackay said he had killed in January 1974.[16]

Trial

[edit]

At his trial in November 1975, Mackay was convicted of the manslaughter of Adele Price, Isabella Griffith and Father Anthony Crean after pleading guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility.[16][13][2] Further evidence of his involvement in the murder of Frank Goodman was found. But these were insufficient and he was not convicted of the murders of Goodman or Hynes and the cases were left to lie on file.[13][16][19][17] He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years.[19][16]

Mackay's defence team had pleaded insanity, but medical experts instead concluded that he was a psychopath (a personality disorder and not a mental disorder).[13]

Subsequent developments

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In 1989, he appeared briefly in a BBC documentary Forty Minutes episode titled "Danger Men". Mackay spent time in Hull Prison, where a special unit was set up to deal with one of the "most dangerous and difficult prisoners" in the country. As Mackay was asked if he was a psychopath, he replied: "There is never any suggestion in my mind that I was ever a psychopath if somebody use that criteria".[20]

Mackay's minimum tariff was 20 years, meaning that he became eligible for release in 1995.[1] He has been repeatedly denied full release by the parole board.[1] In 2017 he was permitted to move to an open prison with day release provisions.[1] In 2019 Dartford MP Gareth Johnson voiced concern at the potential release of Mackay, raising the issue in Parliament and writing to the Secretary of State for Justice.[7]

In 2020 Mackay was again considered for release.[8] The hearing of the Parole Board was postponed amidst a fresh investigation into Mackay's involvement in the murders to which he was suspected.[8][1] In May 2021 the Parole Board announced he would not be eligible for release but could remain in open prison conditions.[21][22]

In 2022, it was revealed that Mackay's case had once again been referred to the Parole Board.[9] The son of Ivy Davies said that he was outraged by the announcement but was unable to give an account to the Parole Board of the impact of Mackay's crimes as Mackay was not convicted of her murder.[18] Commenting, he stated: "Everyone knows he did more. He hasn’t shown any remorse. But there's not a lot I can do about it."[18]

Mackay has been imprisoned for 48 years as of 2023.[1]

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Documentaries

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Mackay's crimes have been featured in a number of documentaries:

  • In 2002, an ITV documentary titled London's Scariest Mysteries: Patrick Mackay documented his crimes.[23]
  • On 7 October 2012, a series 2 episode of Fred Dinenage's Murder Casebook series (alternatively titled Murders that Shook the Nation) covered Mackay's crimes. The episode was titled: Patrick Mackay: The Psychopath.[24]
  • On 20 August 2013, a series 5 episode of Born to Kill? documented Mackay's crimes. The episode was titled Patrick Mackay: The Devil's Disciple.[25]
  • On 1 January 2015, a series 1 episode of high-profile criminologist David Wilson's series First Kill/Last Kill focused on Mackay's crimes.[26]
  • On 1 February 2023, a documentary titled Confessions of a Psycho Killer was released on Amazon Prime.[27]

Books

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  • In 1976 authors Tim Clark and John Penycate published a book on Mackay titled Psychopath: The Case of Patrick Mackay. It was published by Routledge.[28]
  • In 2019 a book on Mackay's murders and alleged murders was released by author John Lucas, titled Britain's Forgotten Serial Killer: The Terror of the Axeman.[29][23] The book contributed to the rising concerns of Mackay's possible release.[29]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Serial killer Patrick Mackay to remain in prison for murder of Kent catholic priest Anthony Crean in Shorne, near Gravesend in 1975". Kent Online. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i ITV (2002). London's Scariest Mysteries: Patrick Mackay (TV documentary).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag Born to Kill? (20 August 2013). Patrick Mackay: The Devil's Disciple (TV documentary).
  4. ^ The Murder Almanac. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-89778-404-4.
  5. ^ a b c Leclere, Matt (14 May 2021). "Serial killer Patrick Mackay to remain in prison for murder of Kent catholic priest Anthony Crean in Shorne, near Gravesend in 1975". Kent Online. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  6. ^ Ramsland, Katherine. "British Maniac Patrick Mackay". Crime Library.
  7. ^ a b "Dartford MP voices concerns over potential release of serial killer Patrick Mackay". Kent Online. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Hunter, Chris (10 June 2020). "Release of serial killer Patrick Mackay delayed amidst fresh investigation". Kent Online. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Serial killer Patrick Mackay who murdered priest with axe in Kent could be freed from prison". Kent Online. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer". Crime Library. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008.
  11. ^ a b "Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer". Crime Library. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008.
  12. ^ "British maniac Patrick Mackay and the system's Failure".
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Wilson, David (2014). "First Kill, Last Kill: Patrick Mackay" (TV documentary). Channel 5. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer". Crime Library. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008.
  15. ^ Ramsland, Katherine. "British Maniac Patrick Mackay: In Custody". Crime Library.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Patrick Mackay: The heinous crimes of Kent's forgotten serial killer". KentLive. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  17. ^ a b "The 11 crimes once linked to killer Patrick Mackay". The Sunday Telegraph. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  18. ^ a b c "Essex and Kent serial killer Patrick Mackay could be freed". The Echo. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  19. ^ a b c Cox, Lynn (15 April 2019). "Former DI Ken Tappenden talks about Kent's forgotten serial killer Patrick Mackay". Kent Online. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Danger Men". Alexander Street. BBC.
  21. ^ "Killer denied release for death of Kent priest". Kent Online. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Killer jailed in 1975 'not suitable for release'". Evening Standard. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  23. ^ a b Lucas, John (2019). Britain's Forgotten Serial Killer: The Terror of the Axeman. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 9781526748850.
  24. ^ "Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook". Prime Video. Amazon. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  25. ^ "Born to Kill? Series 5". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  26. ^ "First Kill Last Kill". Prime Video. Amazon. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Confessions of a Psycho Killer". Prime Video. Amazon. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  28. ^ Clark, Tim; Penycate, John (1976). Psychopath: The Case of Patrick Mackay. London: Routledge and K. Paul. ISBN 9780710084026. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Concerns over possible release of Kent priest's killer". ITV News. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
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