Thug who killed banker to be freed from prison in time for Xmas after 8 months

07 November 2023 , 18:22

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Steven Allan was jailed for the killing that happened in December 2020. (Image: PA)

A man who killed a millionaire banker outside a restaurant is being released from jail after serving eight months of his three year sentence.

Paul Mason, CEO for Qatar National Bank, was wrongly accused of stealing a mobile phone by Steven Allan, 35, as he left The Ivy in London, in December 2020. Paul was knocked to the ground and as he tried to get up the thug hit him with an uppercut, causing his skull to bash the pavement.

The 52-year-old died six months later. Allan, a 34-year-old electrician from Hook in Hampshire, was jailed in April after admitting manslaughter - he was cleared of murder after a trial.

Victim Paul Mason with his sister Rachel (Rachel Mason/SurreyLive/BPM)

The killer was handed down a three years and nine months sentence. Now, Paul's devastated family were given the horrifying news by probation officials that Allan will be out in time for Christmas. Paul's sister Rachel told the MailOnline: "What fills us with disbelief and frustration is the fact that Paul's killer could be released in December, meaning that he will serve just eight months in prison for violently attacking and killing a wholly innocent man.

Paul was wrongly accused of stealing a phone in the tragic incident (PA)

"The sentencing guidelines for those that kill must be reviewed, they are simply failing our society and allowing dangerous individuals to serve so little jail time and be back in the community so quickly." She added that his early release was unjust.

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Allan will be have to wear an electronic tag and will be given a curfew of when to be home and could also be excluded from being allowed into certain places. Rachel had previously said at the time of Allan's sentencing: "How can someone rehabilitate in a year? They can't. We all know that prisons are overstretched and resources are stretched. He's not going to get any kind of support in prison in a year. And then he'll be out in the community. It's sickening."

A Prison Service spokesperson told the Mirror: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Paul Mason. Offenders released on licence must abide by strict rules which if broken will see them returned back behind bars.”

Steven White