The Parole Board has recommended that a man who confessed to raping and killing a woman he stabbed 60 times while having sex 27 years ago be released from jail, reports Sky.
After confessing to attacking 29-year-old Joanne Tulip in Stamfordham, Northumberland, UK, Steven Ling was given a life sentence in prison in December 1998.
It has been suggested that he be released after his sixth parole hearing.
The Parole Board’s recommendation “absolutely appalled and disgusted” Doreen Soulsby, the mother of Ms. Tulip, reports Sky.
She said: “That man committed horrific offences against my daughter and yet is deemed to not be a high risk, and is safe to be released from prison. It’s outrageous.”
Given that Ling, now 49, was deprived of opportunities to socialise with people of the other sex while incarcerated, Ms. Soulsby expressed her grave fear that Ling may seek connections with women upon his release, reports Sky.
She said: “How can the Parole Board believe this man doesn’t pose a danger to society when he took my daughter away from her family by committing the most brutal and sadistic crimes?
“Ling needs to stay locked up behind bars – he is a danger to all women and girls.”
She claimed that it was “a betrayal to not only Joanne’s family but to the families of other victims in similar situations” that the choice to release Ling into the society was suggested, reports Sky.
“They must do everything they can to ensure women and girls are kept safe from this sadistic man,” the speaker asked ministers to veto the plan.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “I know the justice secretary is considering whether that decision can be appealed and whether it can be reconsidered, whether she can request for the parole board to reconsider it, but it is an independent parole board,” reports Sky.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
