Relatives of murdered Elgin mum Arlene Fraser have welcomed the Scottish Government’s support for a potential new law that could deny her killer husband parole – unless he reveals what happened to her body.
Nat Fraser is currently serving time in prison after the 33-year-old mother-of-two disappeared without a trace on April 28 1998.
The abusive and controlling spouse has “tormented” Arlene’s family and friends ever since by staying silent about the location of her remains.
Fraser was jailed for life, with a minimum of 17 years, in May 2012 – so could appeal for his release in 2029.
However, SNP Justice Secretary Angela Constance has backed a possibly game-changing proposal by Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene that would allow the Parole Board to take account of his silence – and refuse his release.
Arlene’s sister Carol Gillies, 62, told The Press and Journal she felt grateful that her family’s desperate need for closure might finally be prioritised over Fraser’s freedom.
“Without answers to our questions we’ve been left stuck in the past,” she said, explaining: “It’s impossible to move forward.”
‘If he wants freedom he will have to give us answers’
Mrs Gillies added: “There’s no way of getting to the truth without putting obstacles in Nat’s way.
“This proposal gives us some hope that if he wants freedom he will have to give us answers.
“Arlene has a right to be found instead of discarded and forgotten. Nat’s exercising control over us by not telling us where.
“Perhaps in the future, he’ll have to choose between staying in control and victimising us, or freedom in exchange for the truth.”
Earlier this week, MSPs on Holyrood’s criminal justice committee debated amendments to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.
It aims to promote fairness and place people affected by crime at the heart of Scotland’s justice system.
Mr Greene said: “My hope is that this brings some solace to the families of victims such as Arlene Fraser, who have been left waiting for answers.
‘Callous Fraser continues to cause utter devastation’
“When murderers like Nat Fraser are considered for release, their failure to disclose the whereabouts of their victims will now be a prime consideration for the Parole Board.
“But almost three decades since Arlene’s disappearance, the callous refusal of Fraser to reveal the location of her body continues to cause utter devastation.
“My change to parole will lead to killers like him staying behind bars until they come clean.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance recognised the “deep hurt” suffered by victims’ families and friends who were “robbed” of the closure of knowing where their loved ones’ remains lay.
She added: “Whilst the Parole Board already does take such matters into account when considering release, I was happy to be able to support Mr Greene’s amendment which will now require the Parole Board to take account of whether the prisoner has information about the disposal of the victims remains, but has not disclosed it.”
‘Parole shouldn’t be getting something for nothing’
One of Arlene’s best friends, Marion Taylor, 64, said it was “fantastic” to hear that Fraser’s future bids for freedom could be blocked if he refuses to face up to what he did.
She said: “That’s justice. Parole shouldn’t be getting something for nothing. His freedom should come at the cost of telling the truth.
“Still not knowing what happened to Arlene’s body has put getting closure on hold for her family.
“They’re tormented for the rest of their lives and so are her friends, like me. It’s not fair on anybody.”
Listen: Vanished – The Arlene Fraser Murder podcast
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