Butcher killer learns to use a saw in jail; DOUBLE MURDERER WHO MUTILATED HIS TWO VICTIMS.

Byline: SOPHIE DOUGHTY

GAY killer William Beggs, who was jailed for murdering a barman he met at a Tyneside nightclub, is being taught how to use a saw in prison.

The former North East student, who carved up the body of Barry Wallace, from Scotland, has been allowed to enrol on a joinery course.

The savage killer was dubbed the Limbs in the Loch killer when he was convicted of the 18-yearold's murder in 2001.

Beggs used a saw and a knife to cut up Barry's body, into eight pieces before throwing his limbs and torso into Loch Lomond.

The brutal killer had earlier been jailed for the murder of barman Barry Oldham who he picked up in Newcastle gay club Rockshots.

MR Oldham's mutilated body was found on a remote North Yorkshire moor in 1987. Beggs was jailed for life for the killing, but was freed on a technicality by the Court of Appeal, just two years later. The 46-year-old predator is now serving a 20-year sentence at Peterhead Prison, in Scotland, for the murder of Barry Wallace, in 1999, and police have branded him a psychopath and believe he will kill again, if he gets the chance.

The decision to allow Beggs to use tools such as saws and chisels on his course has stunned staff and prisoners, at Peterhead.

One person, who did not want to be named, said: "Beggs has butchered a man before - now he gets to handle all the tools he would need to do it again. He has daily access to sawing machines, hammers and chisels.

"The younger cons on the course are terrified. They're nervous about being on the course with Beggs because they know he hacked a man up."

The joinery course lasts nine months and Beggs will be in the workshop every day from Monday to Friday.

Northern Ireland-born Beggs lured Barry Wallace, of Kil-marnockAyrshire, to his flat in December 1999. He handcuffed his arms and legs, sexually assaulted him and murdered him before dismembering his body.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Prison Service said they are unable to comment.

Beggs has earned a reputation for fighting the system and has allegedly made thousands offering legal advice to other cons to help them exploit loopholes in the law.

He spearheaded a campaign aiming to give prisoners the right to vote, and in 2006 it was claimed that he got engaged to a 43-year-old paedophile and wanted to become Britain's first prisoner to "marry" in a same-sex civil partnership in jail.

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FORMER STUDENT: William Beggs