The partner of the late Linda Razzell has called on the High Court for closure, expressing the family’s urgent need to end the prolonged distress caused by the potential release of her convicted killer. Glyn Razzell was given a life sentence in 2003, with a minimum term of nearly 16 years, for the murder of his estranged wife Linda, whose body has yet to be recovered.
Linda, a mother of four, disappeared in March 2002 while on her way to work at Swindon College, Wiltshire, during ongoing divorce proceedings. Although three Parole Board rulings between 2019 and 2023 recommended that Razzell remain imprisoned, a panel in April overturned these decisions, concluding that he could be released on licence.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has since referred this decision to the High Court, arguing that the Parole Board did not adequately assess the risks Razzell poses. Razzell, who opposes this legal challenge, is attending the hearing in London.
READ MORE: Royal Navy Details Purpose of Helicopters Flying Over Somerset
READ MORE: Find Exact Solar Eclipse Viewing Times in Somerset with Our Postcode Tool
At the hearing’s commencement, Linda’s partner Greg Worrall appeared via video link. He spoke of Razzell exerting “coercive control over people even in death” and described the family’s experience of rebuilding their lives, emphasising the enduring sorrow they feel, especially on significant dates such as holidays and anniversaries.
Mr Worrall criticised Razzell for showing only superficial remorse during parole applications, highlighting the killer’s refusal to reveal the location of Linda’s remains, which prolongs the family’s suffering. Citing Helen’s Law, named after a murder victim whose body has never been found, Mr Worrall emphasised that the Parole Board should consider refusal to disclose burial sites when determining parole.
He expressed concerns about Razzell’s ongoing danger to women and the crime of preventing a lawful burial, asking, “Am I safe? Are my family safe? Are the wider community safe?”
Razzell, from Crewkerne, Somerset, has consistently denied involvement in Linda’s disappearance and murder. A recent Parole Board panel in 2023 noted that he appears intent on maintaining the narrative of being “wrongly convicted.” Although the panel acknowledged doubts about his honesty and recognised a significant potential risk in relationships, it described this risk as “not imminent” and concluded he would likely comply with licence conditions due to strong motivation to avoid re-imprisonment.
The MoJ’s legal challenge to the release decision hinges on maintaining public confidence in the parole system and safeguarding the public. Razzell’s legal representative, Matthew Stanbury, argued that risk assessment must not rely solely on denial of guilt or incomplete participation in offender behaviour programmes. He noted that psychological evaluations were thorough, with one psychologist spending 17 hours with Razzell-much more than average-providing a deep understanding of his case. Mr Stanbury maintained that the Parole Board’s decision was comprehensive and appropriate.
At the conclusion of the two-day hearing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb stated that her decision would be announced in the coming weeks. She expressed hope for a change in Razzell’s mindset, emphasising that such a change is within his control.