A Southampton man jailed for murdering his wife has had his campaign to be released delayed.

David Gibson was jailed for life in 2004 and ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years and nine months in prison after suffocating his wife Belinda with a pillow.

Gibson’s father Leslie, who held her down, was also jailed.

The former martial arts instructor, 52, is now eligible for parole and launched his campaign to be set free.

He was due to have a parole board hearing on November 28.

But the hearing was adjourned, it has been confirmed.

A new date for the hearing is yet to be decided.

Daily Echo: Belinda GibsonBelinda Gibson (Image: Supplied)

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According to Parole Board, a panel will ‘carefully examine’ a range of evidence, including details of the crime and any behaviour change, before making a decision.

A spokesperson said: “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."

A six-week trial was held at Winchester Crown Court where both David and Leslie pleaded not guilty to murdering Belinda, the 32-year-old hairdresser.

Police were able to secure a murder conviction without finding her body in what remains a very rare case.

Jurors heard how David Gibson, then 33, and his 66-year-old father suffocated Belinda at the family home at Purvis Gardens, Sholing, in February 2002.

Her body was then stripped and stored in the garden shed before being transferred to an inflatable boat and dumped at sea.

David Gibson was said to have murdered 32-year-old Belinda because their marriage was failing and he was having an affair.

The judge, Mr Justice Silber, said: "David Gibson was the prime force in instigating this plan and carrying out this plan.

"Leslie Gibson probably became involved under misguided loyalty for his son."

He continued: "I think David Gibson played a much larger role in the actual murder, but I do believe Leslie Gibson was present when Belinda Gibson was murdered."

The judge also ruled that Leslie Gibson, a retired dock worker of Mortimer Road, Woolston, should stay in prison for at least ten years and nine months.