Yahoo News Decision to release sadistic Northumberland killer who stabbed victim 60 times to be reviewed
The mother of a woman who was brutally murdered has praised the Lord Chancellor for stepping in to request a review of the Parole Board's decision to free the killer.
Steven Ling, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the horrific 1997 murder of 29 year old Joanne Tulip in Stamfordham, Northumberland, was recently declared fit for release after serving 27 years behind bars a move that was met with shock and labelled "outrageous" by the victim's mother, Doreen Soulsby.
Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood intervened by challenging the Parole Board's conclusion, deeming it potentially "legally irrational". The Parole Board is now tasked with determining whether to honour the reconsideration request, while Ling remains in detention amid the review process.
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Ms Soulsby said: "I welcome the decision taken by the Secretary of State for Justice to submit a reconsideration request to the Parole Board."
She shared her vehement opposition regarding the suggestion to reintegrate Ling into society without transition, stating: "This is a man who committed the most horrific sadistic crimes against my daughter, including stabbing her 60 times and raping her, after having consumed a significant amount of alcohol."
During the parole hearing in July, she noted, it became clear that Ling, now 49, continued to harbour explicit sexual fantasies. "Ling has spent 27 years in custody without having had sex," she said.
"There is a possibility that once he is let out in the community, he will seriously harm other women and will use force to do so, as he did with Joanne. There is nothing that can be done to stop this man constantly thinking he is entitled to sex."
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, chairwoman of domestic violence charity Refuge, weighed in: "Ling committed the most heinous of crimes against Joanne in 1997, and it was clear that he continued to harbour sexual obsessions which formed the backdrop of his rape and murder of Joanne, yet despite this he had been recommended for release straight into the community and not even via the Open Prison system."
She elaborated on the protective stand taken by justice officials: "Today's request from the Justice Secretary shows a commitment from the Lord Chancellor that violence against women and girls must be taken seriously and dangerous men cannot be allowed to walk free having not served all their prison sentence."
Ling, who worked on a farm, was driven by sadistic impulses when he murdered Ms Tulip on Christmas Day 1997, information surfaced at Newcastle Crown Court during the trial.
It was highlighted that although a charge of rape was noted but not pursued in the trial, therefore not classifying him as a convicted sex offender, the Parole Board acknowledged: "Mr Ling has always accepted that he raped the victim."
The judge at his original sentencing, Mr Justice Potts, had a stern message for Ling, who was 23 at that time: "You will never be released so long as it is thought you constitute a danger to women."
Ling was originally given a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years, but this was reduced to 18 by the High Court.
The Parole Board noted that Ling had confessed to a series of indecent exposures prior to his murder of Ms Tulipoffences for which he was never caught.
The board acknowledged his completion of a programme aimed at addressing violent and sexual crimes, and remarked on his exemplary behaviour while incarcerated.
During a July hearing, two psychologists concurred that Ling was ready for release, discussing his profound remorse and "shame" over his "monstrous" history.
His release is subject to strict conditions, including relationship disclosures to authorities, monitoring, curfew, and an exclusion zone to prevent contact with the family of his victim.
The Lord Chancellor stated: "My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Joanne Tulip, whose life was taken in a truly horrifying attack."
"Public protection is my first priority. After careful consideration, I have asked the Parole Board to reconsider its decision to release Steven Ling from prison."
