Public helps fund killer's tattoo removal

Taxpayers are footing half the bill for a convicted murderer and the former wife of a Coffin Cheater to have a tattoo removed.

_The West Australian _understands Jacqueline Margaret Neville is having the tattoo - which reads "Property of Mark Hinchliffe" - removed on mental health grounds.

The Department of Corrective Services has agreed to pay for half of the cost of the procedure, which could be up to $2000.

Neville is serving a life jail term with a minimum of 15 years for murdering her former lover, Michael Wright.

She is seeking criminal injuries compensation for an assault by her estranged husband and former bikie Mark Raymond Hinchliffe after he learnt of her infidelity. During an appeal in the District Court this week, Neville gave details of other abuse allegedly suffered at the hands of Hinchliffe, including being forced to have the tattoo.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said he had not been informed about the decision to pay half the cost of removing the tattoo and would not stop the treatment after it had started.

"But this is a finely balanced question and I have instructed my department to seek my specific approval should such a situation arise again," he said.