Sadist killer who raped victim and 'played with her body' on Christmas Day to be freed

The Justice Secretary's request to block the released of sex-obsessed sadistic killer Steven Ling, who stabbed Joanne Tulip 60 times and carved shapes into her body, has been denied

Justice Secretary's request to the parole board to reconsider releasing Steven Ling straight out into the community has been unsuccessful.

Ling murdered Joanne, 29, on Christmas Day in 1997, stabbing her 60 times and carving shapes such as swastikas into her body. He was recommended for release early this month after his fifth parole hearing last month, and now Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood 's request to block his freedom has been denied.

Doreen Soulsby, Joanne's mother tells the Mirror: "I’m extremely disappointed that the Justice Secretary’s reconsideration request to the Parole Board has been unsuccessful."

She adds: "Therefore, a dangerous man who committed the most horrific and sadistic crimes will now be released straight out into the community and will be roaming our streets I am now very worried and terrified about the release of my daughter’s murderer."

She adds: "Therefore, a dangerous man who committed the most horrific and sadistic crimes will now be released straight out into the community and will be roaming our streets I am now very worried and terrified about the release of my daughter’s murderer."

Ling was jailed for life in 1998 for killing Joanne and has since been denied parole four times. It was revealed in his hearing that “he is preoccupied with sex and feels entitled to sex. He fantasises about sex, sometimes graphically,” according to Doreen from Wall, Northumberland. She is adamant he cannot be rehabilitated and will be a danger if allowed out on the streets.

"I strongly fear that any woman that Ling becomes involved with will not be safe. Ling is a man who has been locked up for most of his adult life and has not socialised around women," says Doreen. "How will he know how to be around women in the real world?"

What is more, although Ling violently raped Joanne when he carried out his sordid attack, he was only charged with murder. In its ruling, the Parole Board stated: "Mr Ling has always accepted that he raped the victim."

"They will not know of his past history as he is not a convicted sex offender and not on the Sex Offender Register," says Doreen. "Ling is a despicable man whose mind is preoccupied with sex - he feels that he is entitled to sex. During Ling’s 5th Parole Hearing in July, we were disgusted to hear and learn that the perpetrator has been conducting sexual acts in prison as a way of coping with his feelings. "

"Given today’s outcome, the public’s confidence in our justice system will be broken and shattered forever with no way of repairing it. How can anyone have faith in our justice system when victims get these outcomes?”

JUSTICE FOR OUR DAUGHTERS

Last year, an estimated 75 women in Britain were killed at home by their partner. They were mums, daughters, grans, sisters and friends. But in the eyes of the law, their murderers don’t deserve the same punishment as a killer in the streets.

OUR DEMANDS

1 Longer sentences for domestic abuse killers

Under current laws if a murderer has brought a weapon to a scene with intent to kill, he or she would expect to be jailed for 25 years. However, if you kill someone with a weapon already at the scene the starting point is 15 years. The law should be updated so these domestic violence killers receive 25 years too.

2 Longer sentences for murder by strangulation

A quarter of domestic homicides are by strangulation. The law should be updated so that when someone is fatally strangled the method of killing is regarded as an aggravating factor and carries a longer sentence.

3 Domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms

For victims of domestic abuse to be given immediate access to trained specialists in police control rooms, in line with Labour’s pledge.

4 Domestic abusers to face manslaughter charges if victims take their own lives

Coercive control and abuse perpetrators should face legal consequences in line with the suffering they have caused.

HOW TO HELP

Add your name to the “coercive control by manslaughter” petition by May 1

WHERE TO GET HELP

If you or a loved one are affected by domestic violence contact Refuge’s NationalDomestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit Refuge.

Farm worker Ling, then 23 and described as a “weirdo”, attacked Joanne after meeting her on a night out on Christmas Eve in Stamfordham, Northumberland. After Joanne, 29, arrived home and took off her make up to get ready for bed, he convinced her to come outside to his home, where he lived with his fiancee who had left early during the night out to stay with a relative. It was here that he violently killed her.

“He was stabbing and raping her at the same time. The knife broke so he went downstairs and got another knife. He did carvings, swastikas, crosses and things. He used two knives straight down her torso,” says her mother. “He inserted a cigarette in her body. People won’t print the details of what he did, but I want them to know.”

"As a mother, the pain of losing my daughter will never fade. The impact of Joanne’s brutal murder and rape will be felt forever, says Doreen. "Knowing Joanne’s murderer is being released feels like a betrayal caused by our Justice System."

A spokesperson for the parole board said: "Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."