I’ve looked Britain’s most notorious serial killers and rapists in the eye – John Sweeney was a cold-blooded psycho

AN ex-cop has described what it was like to look in the eye of some of Britain’s most notorious serial killers and rapists.

During his 30-year career, Mick Jones has faced the likes of Levi Bellfield and David Smith – and even brought one to tears.

8th

8th

8th

But worst of all, he says, was “scalp hunter” killer John Sweeney, who murdered and dismembered two former girlfriends before dumping their remains in sewers.

The monster is behind bars for life because of the terrible crimes. But before he was locked up, Mick had to question him.

He told WalesOnline: “He’s probably one of the most terrifying men I’ve ever interviewed.

“He was a complete psychopath and a cold-blooded killer. He was cold about everything.

“He showed no remorse and was matter-of-fact about cutting up and murdering people.”

Mick’s police career began in 1976 when he joined the Met in London.

There he worked on high-profile missing persons and murder cases and met Bellfield, Smith and Sweeney face to face.

His first murder investigation was that of 14-year-old schoolgirl Patsy Morris, who disappeared in 1980 while she was at school.

Her body was discovered two days later in the undergrowth near her home.

Decades later, it was revealed that the boy was friends with serial killer and rapist Bellfield.

Although links between the couple have been investigated, he has never been formally charged in connection with her death.

However, he is charged with the murders of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.

Mick said of Bellfield: “He was a control freak and always aggressive.

“What I knew about him beforehand was correct [with his crimes].

“He was very arrogant and full of himself – the kind of person who thought he was bigger and better than everyone else.”

John Sweeney was a total psychopath and a cold-blooded killer.

Mike Jones

Mick, from Brynamman, South West Wales, later became a CID officer who saw him visit the home of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who was reported missing in 1986.

She was pronounced dead and presumed murdered in 1993, but no one has ever been convicted.

John Cannan, responsible for the 1987 murder of Shirley Banks and a string of other rapes and kidnappings, is believed to be behind it – but the CPS ruled in 2002 there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

After CID, Mick served a brief stint in the Domestic Violence Unit before joining Homicide.

There he met rapist and murderer Smith, who had assaulted and killed sex worker Amanda Walker in 1999.

Mick described him as a “cold-blooded honey monster” who, when he arrived to attack him, broke down and cried before calling for his mother.

Reflecting on his dark and troubled career, Mick said it “certainly affected his private life”.

The father of two and grandfather of four has been married twice and found himself “hardly ever at home” as he worked “really long hours”.

But it was worth “getting justice for the families” who were “torn by unimaginable grief,” he said.

8th

8th

8th

8th

8th