Serial killer Andrew Dawson who dubbed himself 'Angel of Mercy' chilling inspiration for murders

Andrew Dawson is simply a convicted serial slayer whose transgression spree began successful 1981 and ended successful 2010, during which clip helium killed 3 radical earlier being jailed for good

Andrew Dawson is simply a convicted serial slayer whose crimes are being examined in ITV's Tracking a Serial Killer tonight. Dawson murdered 3 radical successful the UK, dubbing himself the "Angel of Mercy" successful a letter.

Dawson, present 62, was said to person drawn inspiration from Raoul Moat who changeable his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobartt connected July 3, 2010, aft fatally shooting her caller partner, Chris Brown. Just a time later, Moat attacked constabulary serviceman David Rathband.

He was near blinded by the onslaught and committed termination 2 years later. The drawstring of horrific crimes led the constabulary to mobilise 160 officers to find Moat, though the hunt ended erstwhile helium took his ain beingness connected July 10.

It is thought that Moat’s actions whitethorn person inspired Dawson’s horrifying murders, which volition play retired successful ITV1's Tracking a Serial Killer: True Crime Presents. Born successful 1962 successful Ormskirk, Lancashire, Dawson's archetypal execution took spot erstwhile helium was conscionable 19-years-old aft sidesplitting a 91-year-old shopkeeper.

Henry Walsh died arsenic a effect of the attack, with forensics showing helium had been stabbed eleven times. Dawson was jailed successful 1982, earlier being released successful 1999.

Dawson's crimes didn't extremity there, with him being jailed 3 much times betwixt 2003 and 2007. Eventually helium was released successful 2008.

After leaving prison, Dawson was moved to a probation hostel earlier being transferred to supported accommodation. He yet was allowed to unrecorded successful a backstage residence, but his landlord, Artell Black, said Dawson was a problematic tenant.

According to Black, Dawson was a “risk to the community” and often aggravated different residents. Dawson was arrested and charged for shoving Artell successful the thorax but did not look a situation condemnation due to the fact that of the debased level of the offence.

Dawson's astir prolific crimes came successful 2010, aft John David Matthews was recovered stabbed to decease successful his level successful Chaddesden, Derby connected July 25, 2010. Paul Hancock was recovered dormant successful the aforesaid area, conscionable 5 days later.

Both men were placed successful their bathtubs by Dawson, successful an effort to conceal their bodies. Dawson was arrested connected the aforesaid time that John’s assemblage was found.

When helium was arrested, his flat was searched which uncovered a missive written by the killer. The missive seemed to incorporate a confession and was signed “Yours, the Angel of Mercy".

Detective Inspector Paul Callum said: "Dawson has shown nary remorse for his actions and has simply sought to blasted anyone helium tin for the absorption his beingness has taken. These were cold, calculated and savage acts. He has shown a grade of thought and readying and sought to conceal and destruct grounds wherever helium could.

"He has stretched retired this process unnecessarily for the families of those men that died for nary crushed and I would similar to explicit my sympathies for the nonaccomplishment of their loved ones."

After a agelong tribunal trial, helium was sentenced to beingness imprisonment with a full beingness order.