Sick child killer Mark Bonini has made a bid to be released from his life sentence for the murder of Andrew Morton.
Bonini, now 50, was jailed for life in August 2005 for murdering toddler Andrew, who was just two, with an air rifle he had modified to give it more power. Andrew was in the arms of his brother Brian, who was taking him to the shops, when Bonini shot a pellet into his head.
Andrew’s parents say their festive season has been a nightmare as they brace themselves for Bonini’s possible release. Sharon McMillan, 53, and Andy Morton, 50, who have another six children, have urged parole bosses to keep Bonini behind bars at a crucial hearing on January 15.
In a letter sent to the Parole Board for Scotland, they have also demanded that Bonini is banned from returning to Glasgow’s Garthamlock, where they live, if he is released. Sharon and Andy say in their emotional letter that son Brian remains deeply traumatised by his brother’s murder.
They wrote: “Andrew was murdered, aged two, by Mark Bonini in March 2005 while being carried to the shops by his older brother, Brian. We should not need to spell out how traumatic that was for Brian. The impact is felt by all of us every day. Parents do not get over the death of a child. If they’re lucky, they learn to manage their grief so they can continue to function in public.
“All that we have told you before about our family’s loss remains as true now as it ever was, and that will not change. Every happy event has a gap in it. All the landmark birthdays have been spent by Andrew’s grave, and the only gifts we’ve been able to give him for many years have been decorative ones for his grave.
“During this time we have never had a letter from Mark Bonini or anyone acting for him to say how sorry he was, or that he regretted what he had done. This leaves us thinking he is not sorry and has not addressed his behaviour, and therefore he will remain a danger to the public.”
Their letter goes on to acknowledge that one day Bonini will be free. They write: “We feel it might be valuable at this stage to stress that he must not be allowed to return to our area. We would like to see him locked up forever but given that we know that will not happen, it almost becomes more important to deal with where he can live when he is released.
“What are we supposed to do if we meet the man who murdered our baby at the shops or at the bus stop? It cannot end well. We have six more children, all living locally, and our older daughters have children as well. None of us should ever have to see Mark Bonini again and we believe the public would want you to take the action we demand on this matter.
“We do not think he should be released until he has shown remorse and demonstrated that he can change and not be a danger to the community, and we do not think he should ever be allowed to live in our area, and preferably not even on our side of Glasgow.”
Andy and Sharon have always kept Andrew’s grave lit up and the family visit often to tidy it and add to the decorations. Sharon said: “Instead of celebrating Andrew’s birthdays and Christmas and choosing presents for him, we go to visit his grave. We talk to Andrew there.
“Cheryl, Sammy and Brian adored Andrew and will always miss him. Even Mercedes and Tulisa, who were born after he died and never knew him, and Calvin, who was seven months old and has always been sad that he doesn’t remember his big brother – they all tell him they love and miss him. We shouldn’t have had to deal with the torment caused by Mark Bonini.”
The minimum term set by Lord Brodie at the High Court in Glasgow was just 13 years, backdated to March 2005 when Andrew was killed and Bonini was remanded in custody. Bonini has now served almost 20 years.
He blew a chance of release some five years ago after being caught with drugs in his cell following a move to open conditions, a progression that takes lifers close to release. He was sent back to secure conditions, delaying his chance of freedom by years, but given his relatively short minimum term he will be hopeful that this time his freedom could be imminent.
Sharon said last night: “Andrew was little more than a baby and 13 years for the murder of a baby was never enough. It should have been 25. When your child dies before you, especially when the death is so violent and senseless, you don’t heal. You serve the life sentence.”
Andy added: “Prison is the best place for guys like him. He’s a child killer and will never be welcome around here and shouldn’t be allowed to come back.”
After Andrew’s murder, his parents channelled their grief positively for 12 years in pursuit of Andrew’s Law. They wanted a complete ban on air weapons, but the Scottish Parliament passed legislation in 2017 requiring them to be licensed with owners having to show they needed them, such as farmers requiring them to control vermin.
In the run-up to the law being passed, some 18,000 air weapons were handed in to Police Scotland. The Parole Board does not comment on individual cases.
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