AN inmate at a top security prison threatened to go on a killing spree when his sentence ended.

As a result of his threats to shoot members of his family, police officers who dealt with his case, co-accused and witnesses, David James Willoughby has spent a further three years and four months behind bars.

The 29-year-old made the threats in a letter handed to a prison officer at Frankland Jail, in Durham, in April 2009, which he asked to be passed on to police.

Durham Crown Court heard that Willoughby was, at the time, nine months from his scheduled release from a ten-year sentence imposed for a joint attack on a paedophile, who was badly hurt after being thrown from a bridge, and arson.

John Gillette, prosecuting, said the letter stated: “I would like to bring to your attention that when I get released I’m going to murder my mum, her boyfriend, my dad, two co-defendants, all witnesses and two police officers.”

He said he would carry out the killings dressed in a Nazi Waffen SS uniform.

Mr Gillette said Willoughby, from Nottingham, later told police he knew “the right people” to get a shotgun, repeating: “I will do this, believe me.”

When asked why he made the threats he said: “Partly because I don’t want to get out and partly for revenge”.

Mr Gillette said Willoughby added: “I’ll shoot the whole lot of them. Just don’t release me.”

In a second police interview, six months later, he said his intention had been to get help and claimed he had not intended carrying out the threats.

Willoughby admitted two charges of making threats to kill at the court in April 2010.

But sentence has been delayed while several psychiatric assessments were made on Willoughby.

The case finally reached a conclusion at the court today (Monday May 13) when three psychiatrists involved in assessing Willoughby came together to discuss their findings.

Two who have spent most time looking into his mental state recommended that he be made subject of a hospital order.

Agreeing to the recommendation, Judge Christopher Prince passed the order, but as Willoughby is considered to pose “a low risk to the general public” it was not thought necessary to make a more restrictive order.

A place has been earmarked for Willoughby at a secure hospital in Nottingham.