A CONVICTED murderer who has been recalled to prison four times has been released on licence.

The Parole Board said west Swindon man Wesley Keel, who in 1996 stabbed Gloucestershire teen Jonathan Busson to death in 1996, had taken part in various courses while in prison aimed at tackling issues with violent behaviour and substance abuse.

In a written summary, seen by the Adver, of Keel’s parole hearing, the panel approved the 43-year-old’s re-release on licence.

He must live in an approved premises, understood to be in Swindon, abide by a series of parole conditions and keep to a curfew.

The Parole Board panel said in its written ruling: “Evidence was presented in the dossier regarding Mr Keel’s progress and custodial conduct during this sentence. He had undertaken accredited programmes to address offending behaviour. He had also completed training courses which addressed the tendency to use violence. He had engaged in other work to address substance misuse.

“The panel heard how well Mr Keel had demonstrated application of relevant skills and learning while in custody.”

They added: “The panel examined the release plan provided by Mr Keel’s probation officer and weighed its proposals against assessed risks. The plan included a requirement to reside in designated accommodation as well as strict limitations on Mr Keel’s contacts, movements and activities. The panel concluded this plan was robust enough to manage Mr Keel in the community at this stage.”

Keel was 19 and the de-facto leader of a violent gang in Whaddon, Cheltenham, when he murdered Jonathan Busson - three years his junior.

On the night of Sunday, August 11, 1996, Jonathan was out with Keel’s younger sister Stacey. Keel pressured a friend into driving him around Cheltenham looking for the young couple.

He became more and more angry until he eventually spotted Jonathan and Stacey sitting on a bench at the end of an alleyway. Keel confronted the younger man and pulled out a knife. Jonathan pleaded with his attacker as Keel plunged the knife into him 10 times. A stab wound the heart proved fatal.

Keel left the scene, later directing his friend to twice drive past the scene where police were tending to him.

He then turned up at the hospital claiming to be Jonathan’s friend and offering to tell the boy’s parents their beloved son was dead.

Keel was convicted by a Bristol jury in July 1997 – almost a year after the murder. Judge Mark Dyer, who presided over the trial, said Keel showed no hint of remorse.

He was later said to have accepted his guilt, expressed remorse for his actions and made progress in prison. In 2006, Mr Justice Crane at the High Court ruled the minimum tariff Keel should serve be set at 12 years – minus 11 months served on remand awaiting his trial.

He was initially released on licence in 2010. He has been recalled to prison four times.

The Swindon man was most recently recalled following the alleged theft of gold coins. The charge was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in January 2020.