Family’s fear as killer who murdered their father released on licence: ‘Life should mean life’
The family of a man who was murdered by a killer and rapist on the run have said his release from prison is “dangerous”, warning that “he will offend again” as they petition for him to remain behind bars.
Philip Haselip, a 52-year-old musician, was bludgeoned and stabbed to death by Rikki Stewart, now 48, who they later discovered was wanted for killing Donald Nicholson in September 2001 and raping a 53-year-old grandmother in August 2003.
Stewart, dubbed the Dumfries Killer, was sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2004 for Philip’s murder, and later given an additional 12 years for killing Mr Nicholson and 10 years for rape after pleading guilty to all three crimes.
While serving his sentence, Stewart was denied parole seven times, but the family have now been told that he has been released without a GPS tag on temporary licence, which means he
