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Nicholas Burton: 'Merciless' killer due to be released, says MP | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Nicholas Burton was found guilty of stabbing 27-year-old Rachel McGrath to death in 1997 | Nicholas Burton was found guilty of stabbing 27-year-old Rachel McGrath to death in 1997 |
A killer given three life sentences and recommended to spend the rest of his life in jail is due for release next year, MPs have heard. | A killer given three life sentences and recommended to spend the rest of his life in jail is due for release next year, MPs have heard. |
Nicholas Burton was found guilty of murdering 27-year-old Rachel McGrath, who he stabbed to death in a car park in Bramhall, Stockport, in 1997. | Nicholas Burton was found guilty of murdering 27-year-old Rachel McGrath, who he stabbed to death in a car park in Bramhall, Stockport, in 1997. |
Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts said Ms McGrath's parents had been told Burton "would walk free next year". | Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts said Ms McGrath's parents had been told Burton "would walk free next year". |
The Ministry of Justice said Burton's release was "by no means certain". | |
Speaking in the Commons, the MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd said: "My constituent Michael McGrath is battling for justice for his family. | Speaking in the Commons, the MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd said: "My constituent Michael McGrath is battling for justice for his family. |
"His sister Rachel McGrath was murdered in a brutal stranger attack by Nicholas Burton in 1997. | "His sister Rachel McGrath was murdered in a brutal stranger attack by Nicholas Burton in 1997. |
"The trial judge described Burton as merciless and manipulative and recommended that no home secretary - as the arrangement was at the time - would ever be likely to allow his release. | "The trial judge described Burton as merciless and manipulative and recommended that no home secretary - as the arrangement was at the time - would ever be likely to allow his release. |
"Rachel's elderly parents were recently told that Burton would walk free next year. | "Rachel's elderly parents were recently told that Burton would walk free next year. |
"They haven't even been able to make a victim statement and believe the correct procedure has not been followed. | "They haven't even been able to make a victim statement and believe the correct procedure has not been followed. |
"Will he agree, please, to a ministerial meeting with the family to help ensure that they have all the information they need, that their voice is heard and it is respected?" | "Will he agree, please, to a ministerial meeting with the family to help ensure that they have all the information they need, that their voice is heard and it is respected?" |
Justice minister Alex Chalk thanked Ms Saville Roberts for raising the "extremely sensitive, distressing and, frankly, appalling" case. | Justice minister Alex Chalk thanked Ms Saville Roberts for raising the "extremely sensitive, distressing and, frankly, appalling" case. |
He added: "Yes, of course I will be delighted to meet." | He added: "Yes, of course I will be delighted to meet." |
Speaking during the case in 1998, Mr Justice Morland told Liverpool Crown Court that a psychiatrist had described Burton as one of the most dangerous men she had ever come across in her career. | Speaking during the case in 1998, Mr Justice Morland told Liverpool Crown Court that a psychiatrist had described Burton as one of the most dangerous men she had ever come across in her career. |
Burton's trial also heard that hours after killing Ms McGrath, he kidnapped a 17-year-old girl he said he had intended to murder. | |
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said Burton's release "can only be directed by the Parole Board after he has served the minimum 25 year term which ends next year". | |
"Even at that stage, it is by no means certain that they will do so," he added. | |
Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk | Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk |
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