Mark Chapman was convicted of assassinating Lennon outside his New York home in 1980. Known as an obsessed fan, Chapman shot the rock star in the back four times.

According to the Daily Mirror, the 62-year-old wrote a letter to a US pen pal named Michael about his regrets.

In the letter, Chapman said that he had committed a “heinous crime” and that he’s “never forgotten” the “horrible occurrence”.

But he added: “Jesus is a real, living person I have come to know.

“Jesus is everything. I have found this through the many long years here at Attica [the New York State jail where he was previously held].

“Through it all I have come to know he cares very deeply for me – and for you.

“He chose to die so that our sins – even mine – could be forgiven.”

Chapman also said that Michael can also “know” and “feel” this saviour.

Further along in the letter, Chapman claimed to have written a book called The Prisoner’s Letter.

According to the newspaper, a man who runs a website dedicated to selling personal property of high-profile criminals sold the letter to an anonymous bidder in the US for £265.

However, Eric Holler, who created Serial Killer Ink said he got the letter from someone who was Chapman’s pen pal.

He added that the letter was sold within an hour of it being listed on his website.

Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in jail in 1981 after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.  He has been denied parole…

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers has asked that retailers choose a more varied selection of music and to start playing Christmas songs a bit later.

It claimed that constant repetition of Christmas songs in shops is damaging the mental health of some workers.

It also said some workers have become traumatised by jingle bells and mistletoe and wine.

Linda Blair who is a clinical psychologist said: “Christmas music is likely to irritate people if it’s played too loudly and too early.

“It might make us feel that we’re trapped – it’s a reminder that we have to buy presents, cater for people, organise celebrations.

“Some people will react to that by making impulse purchases, which the retailer likes. Others might just walk out of the shop. It’s a risk.”

However, Gary Grant who is the Managing Director of The Entertainer toy shop said it’s never too early

He said: “In the middle of October, it starts off as being one in four songs. Now it’s one out of two. In a couple of weeks’ time it’ll be all Christmas music.”

The reason is all about making people spend more money and earlier: “We basically spend 10 months preparing for two.

“Without these final eight weeks we wouldn’t make any money.”

Father Feargal McGrady told mourners at the funeral of Anne O’Neill, 51, on Tuesday that her death was a “double tragedy” and prayed “in a special way” for her son Declan, who is charged with her murder.

Ms O’Neill, a mother of two, died on Saturday October 22, following an alleged attack at her parents’ house in Ardmore Avenue, Finaghy, in the early hours of the morning.

She was discovered in the back garden with injuries.

Emergency crews tried to resuscitate her but were unable to save her and she died at the scene.

Declan O’Neill, 27, of Malone Avenue, was remanded in custody charged with her murder.

The doctor, who denies the charge, had been working as a locum at Belfast Trust hospitals.

He did not seek bail when he was charged with murder.

Family and friends of Ms O’Neill gathered for Requiem Mass in St Anne’s Church at Kingsway, Finaghy, on Tuesday morning.

In his homily Fr McGrady, the parish priest, told mourners: “As this is a double tragedy, we pray in a special way for Declan this morning.”

He said that everyone’s “hearts are breaking” for Ms O’Neill’s elderly parents Claire and George and all the family.

“It just seems too much. Too much also for Anne’s daughter Claire-Anne who is at the cliff-face of this double tragedy,” he said.

“I wish we could change it, Claire-Anne, but we all need to help you live for the future.

“We are all to some extent held captive in this world, imprisoned – we’ve made…