A YEAR ago readers welcomed the news that a child murderer dubbed the ‘Monster of Worcester’ was banned from the city.

David McGreavy was banned from returning to the city upon his release from prison.

The killer had not yet been released but we were told he would not be allowed to return to Worcester, according to the city’s MP Robin Walker.

Mr Walker moved to reassure residents after the news that McGreavy had

been given parole caused an outcry from the public.

McGreavy has served 46 years in prison for killing three young children at

their Gillam Street home in Worcester, before impaling their bodies outside on a neighbour’s fence.

Many city residents remember the shocking crime and, when his imminent release was revealed, they argued that McGreavy should never be freed.

Mr Walker said he had met with the chief executive of the parole board to raise the serious concerns of the case, after the parole announcement.

“It was an appalling crime and I believe McGreavy should not be released at all,”

Mr Walker said. “However, we must accept the parole board have made their decision."

“We have been assured multiple reports have taken place and psychotic assessments have been done on McGreavy to ensure he is no longer a risk.

“There will be restrictions on him coming back to Worcester. He will not be allowed to contact the victim’s family members or witnesses of the murders in Gillam Street. Obviously, many of those still remain in Worcester, however we have been assured he will not be able to return.”

Mr Walker said McGreavy, aged 67, had been monitored every 20 years by psychologists and the evidence was assessed based on the risks of his release.

Today, a judge can order a criminal to serve a whole-life sentence but this was not the case when McGreavy was sentenced in 1973. He was given multiple life-sentences with an order he serve a minimum of 20 years.

Mr Walker said: “The parole board must work within their legal mandate. Since the appalling event, the law has been changed and his sentence has expired. If crimes of this nature happen today, they would get a life sentence."

“A life sentence should mean life. I am still raising objections on how I feel, and I do not believe the individual should be released. We will continue working to maximise pressures. It is now in the hands of the Ministry of Justice for his release plan.

“We need to make sure the licensing conditions are tough. Based on accountable reports, the parole board has said the individual is not considered a risk.”

Mr Walker said there are a number of conditions attached to McGreavy’s release, including that he must reside at a designated address, comply with an enhanced form of supervision and monitoring, respect a specified curfew, and comply with other identified limitations regarding contacts and activities.