Deadly failings with one person killed every six days by criminal on probation

24 January 2023 , 22:29

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Deadly failings with one person killed every six days by criminal on probation

The Chief Inspector of Probation says he cannot guarantee the public is being properly protected.

Justin Russell was speaking after his report slammed failings that left a sex predator free to kill Zara Aleena.

He said the “clear lesson” is that staff are overworked.

A murder is committed once every six days by a convicted criminal under probation supervision, figures reveal.

Criminals on licence killed a total of 599 people in the last decade, and an average of 60 every year, Ministry of Justice statistics show.

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The grim toll can be revealed after ministers and probation leaders were said to have “blood on their hands” for failings that left sexual predator Jordan McSweeney free to kill Zara Aleena.

McSweeney was handed a life sentence and jailed for at least 38 years last month after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Zara (PA)

Zara Aleena was killed as she walked home in the early hours of the morning in Ilford, East London (SWNS)

Not all the murders recorded can be blamed on probation failings but Chief Inspector of Probation, Justin Russell, has now warned that without urgent Government action to reverse cuts, he cannot guarantee that the public is being properly protected.

A damning report published yesterday found McSweeney, 29, was wrongly considered medium risk by the private firm monitoring him, despite him warning his own anger scared him.

Lisa Skidmore, 37, left, a review said probation should have protected public more from ex-prisoner; and Liam Taylor (right) 19, was stabbed in a pub by two men who at the time were monitored by probation

McSweeney got a life sentence and will serve at least 38 years after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Zara in Ilford, East London.

He had been free for only nine days last year when he stalked the aspiring lawyer, 35, grabbed her and repeatedly kicked and stamped on her head and body resulting in 46 injuries.

During that time, he had failed to turn up for three probation appointments and disappeared from his mum’s house after drinking heavily.

L-R: Pauline Quinn, 73, was killed by her neighbour, under supervision for murdering two pensioners and Dorothy Woolmer was tortured by Reece Dempster, wearing a tag after a burglary conviction

Prison staff submitted 15 concerns about McSweeney, mainly for making weapons and using drugs, but details were not shared with probation.

Justice Minister Damian Hinds has said he was “profoundly sorry” for the “serious failings”.

None of those involved in the management of McSweeney will face any disciplinary action.

Zara’s aunt Farah Naz said “heads should roll”. She said: “Zara’s life was taken and probation have blood on their hands.”

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John Gogarty, 65, left, was stabbed by Ian Birley who was on licence for murdering a pensioner and right - Saskia Jones was killed at Fishmongers Hall aong with Jack Merritt, by a released jihadist

Mr Russell said yesterday there are over 500 serious further offences, including murder and rape, committed on probation each year.

He said: “Until the Probation Service puts those things right, it’s impossible to say that the public is being properly protected from the risks that people on probation pose.”

The “clear lesson” from Aleena’s case is that “overworked staff” do not have time to go over case files, he said.

Eulin Hastings, left, was beaten in her home by Aaron Fyle who turned out to be wanted for recall to jail and right, Cherylee Shennan, 20, was stabbed by her boyfriend, on licence for killing a partner

He revealed he offered to speak to Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to discuss his concerns, adding: “I’m hoping he’ll take me up on that opportunity.”

McSweeney was only classed as medium risk by a Community Rehabilitation Company. CRCs were introduced by ex-Justice Secretary Chris Grayling in 2014 but axed in 2021. They cost almost £500million and led to a rise in killings by people on probation.

Quyen Hgoc Nguyen, 28 (left) was killed by two men both jailed for murder who linked up in prison and right, the family of Conner Marshall, 18, criticised privatisation of the probation services after he died

Centre for Women’s Justice director Harriet Wistrich said of Zara’s case: “This is only one of a series of murders that might have been avoided over the last few years.”

Labour’s Jess Phillips said: “The truth is we do not monitor these people and we should stop pretending otherwise. There is no monitoring of the most violent, well-known, prolific offenders against women and girls.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Serious further offences are incredibly rare and the Deputy Prime Minister has set out plans to overhaul the parole process and invest £155m more into probation to keep the public safe."

Tom Pettifor