JOHN Lennon's killer boasted of being forgiven by Jesus for assassinating the former Beatle legend in a never-before-seen letter.

Mark Chapman, now 62, plunged the world into mourning when he gunned down the beloved singer outside his New York apartment in 1980.

7 Mark Chapman, pictured in 2012, is in jail for the killing former Beatle's legend John Lennon Credit: AFP

Now, a letter penned by the bespectacled killer has been unearthed in which he reveals his new-found faith and peddles a book he claims to be publishing.

His chilling note reads: "Jesus is who I would like to write to you of today, for he is not merely a character in a story, but a real, living person I have come to know.

"Jesus is everything. I have found this through the many long years here at Attica. He has never left me.

"Through it all, I have come to learn that he cares very deeply for me – and for you. That is why he chose to die, to shed his blood so that our sins – even mine – could be forgiven."

7 The never-seen-before letter from Mark Chapman which talks about being forgiven for assassinating Lennon Credit: Caters News Agency

7 Legend Lennon was killed in New York on December 8, 1980

It continues: "Twelve years ago, I shot and killed the rock superstar John Lennon, formerly of the Beatles.

"There is a book that explains my motivations for this heinous crime, but let me say here that it was a horrible occurrence; I have never forgotten it.

"I have written this story with you in mind. I wanted to share with you some of the things I have learned here in prison, what I've experienced. I hope you will read it."

Chapman is currently being held behind bars at a maximum-security prison at the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, near Buffalo, New York.

7 Mark Chapman's infamous NYPD arrest photo Credit: PA:Press Association

7 The .38 calibre handgun used by Mark David Chapman to shoot dead the singer Credit: Reuters

7 Eric Holler, pictured, who runs website Serial Killers Ink, sold the killer's letter for £265 Credit: Caters News Agency

He sent the letter to a US-based penpal, named only as Michael in the letter, more than five years ago from his previous prison – Attica Correctional Facility, also in New York.

The letter was sold to an anonymous US bidder for $350 (£265) by Eric Holler, 47, from Florida, who specialises in selling the personal effects of the world's most bloodthirsty criminals.

It is the first time the note – which makes reference the book he claims to have written, called 'The Prisoner's Letter' – has ever been revealed to the public.

The murder of John Lennon John Lennon, 40, was shot dead on December 8, 1980 by Mark Chapman, a fan who had grown angry at the singer’s atheist views and declaration that the Beatles had been “more popular than Jesus”. The singer had just returned with his wife Yoko Ono to his New York City home from a busy day involving a photo shoot for Rolling Stone magazine, a radio interview and several hours in the studio. Chapman had been loitering outside the Dakota building all day. As Lennon made his way into the building from his limo at 10.50pm, Chapman shot him twice in the back and twice in the shoulder. The Beatle legend stumbled into the building mumbling "I'm shot" before falling face down. Concierge Jay Hastings, who was was on duty at the time, rushed to him and started making a tourniquet, but when he ripped open Lennon's shirt and realised the severity of his injuries he placed his jacket over him instead. Two police officers carried Lennon to the back of their squad car and rushed him to hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival at Roosevelt Hospital at 11.15pm. After the assassination, Chapman sat down and read The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger while waiting to be arrested. That night he told police and the media that his statement was that book, however he later said his motivation for the slaying was instant notoriety. Chapman received a sentence of 20 years to life after pleading guilty to a second-degree murder charge.

7 Credit: Reuters

Eric, who runs true crime collectables site Serial Killers Ink, said: "We initially obtained the letter from a private citizen who was a pen pal of Chapman's. I have never been in touch with Chapman myself.

"It sold for $350 about an hour after it was listed on the website. I would love to obtain more Chapman items as they are in demand and sell extremely well.

"He seems to be pretty discreet with his correspondence, which in effect means there is not a lot of his items out on the market."

Chapman will next be eligible for parole in August 2018, but his family say they don’t want him to ever be released.

So far, he has been denied parole nine times, and each time he has been eligible Lennon's widow Yoko Ono has long campaigned to make sure the killer stays behind bars.

John Lennon