Mother’s Battle to Keep Son’s Brutal Murderer Behind Bars Until He Discloses Location of Head

Jean Hartley’s teenage son, Christopher, was a victim of a brutal murder at 17

Jean Hartley is a grieving mother who is pleading for the ‘monster’ responsible for her son’s murder to continue to be held behind bars as he still refuses to disclose the whereabouts of her son’s head.

On December 30, 1997, Jean Hartley’s son, Christopher, only 17 at the time, was deceitfully brought to an apartment by Stuart Diamond, who then strangled him and mutilated his body. Christopher’s remains were later discovered discarded in a trash bin behind a hotel, but his head was never found.

Diamond was tried and convicted, and has been confined at Ashworth high‑security hospital under the Mental Health Act. However, following a Parole Board hearing in January, there’s a possibility he could be released if it’s determined he no longer poses a public threat.

Jean Hartley, now 73 and residing in Kirkby, is adamant about keeping Diamond imprisoned, stressing that his release should not be considered while he continues the “cruel and unforgivable” act of withholding the location of Christopher’s head.

“The indescribable pain this has caused me and my family is hard to express. I still suffer from nightmares – it has shattered my entire family,” Hartley shared.

Diamond has made several conflicting statements about the whereabouts of Christopher’s head, including claims that he disposed of it in the Irish Sea. Hartley also noted that Diamond had drawn a sketch of a decapitated figure following his arrest.

“I despise Diamond. I can’t forgive him for the torment he has inflicted on my family,” Hartley stated.

Christopher had moved to Blackpool seeking seasonal employment at the Pleasure Beach, staying with his sister Michelle. After being asked to leave due to issues with her landlord, he met a tragic fate.

On the day Christopher was murdered, he had left his sister’s home to meet Diamond, who had moved to Blackpool from Ireland. During the 1999 trial, it was revealed that Diamond strangled and smothered Christopher before dismembering his body in their shared bathroom, cutting it into three parts.

Evidence such as bloodstains, tissue, and Diamond’s fingerprint in Christopher’s blood on a stool leg was found throughout the apartment. Diamond’s defense, which blamed drug dealers for framing him, was dismissed by the jury.

Diamond fled to Ireland after the murder but was later extradited. He had previous convictions for violent offenses, including a sentence for slashing a man’s face with a knife. At the time of the murder, Diamond had recently been released on license.

The judge during Diamond’s sentencing described him as “a very dangerous young man,” highlighting the careful consideration required to determine if he could ever be safely released.

Hartley fears for her safety and the possibility of encountering Diamond if he is released. She has taken legal measures to prevent him from approaching her or Christopher’s grave, stressing that there is no closure for her family while he remains protected by the system.

The potential release of Diamond not only affects Hartley but has also deeply impacted her daughters, two of whom have passed away on significant dates related to Christopher’s death.

The family’s fight continues as they push for legal reforms regarding parole eligibility for murderers, emphasizing that mental health care should not replace accountability for severe crimes. They have launched an online petition to support their cause.

Jean Hartley remains determined to fight for justice, driven by the memory of her son, whom she describes as a “good lad” with a “cheeky smile” and striking eyes.

As the decision on Diamond’s release hangs in balance, the Parole Board and Ministry of Justice have yet to announce their final decision, ensuring that the evaluation will consider the risk Diamond may pose to the public if released.