CHILD KILLER GRAEME ALDERTON FACES POSSIBLE PAROLE RELEASE
CAMPAIGN groups have spoken of their disgust that child killer Graeme Alderton could be released from prison before the end of the year.He was convicted of starting a fire in February 1994, at the house he shared with his common-law wife, Lisa Alexander in Basingstoke Road, Peterlee, in a bid to get rehoused.
His three children, four-year-old Charlotte, three-year-old Amy and one-year-old Dean Alexander, died as flames swept through the house.
In 1995, Alderton, 34, was cleared of their murder and attempted murder of his common-law wife, but jailed for ten years for manslaughter.
The campaign groups' concerns were expressed because this year, five years after his conviction, Alderton becomes eligible for parole.
The Home Office Parole Board cannot comment on individual cases, but a spokesman said: "I can't say if Graeme Alderton will be freed later this year.
"If they have not already been given parole, prisoners can sometimes be released on licence when they have served two thirds of their sentence." Including his time spent in custody while awaiting trial, Alderton has already spent six years in prison and could therefore be due for release later this year.
David Hines, chairman of the North-East of England Victims Association, said: "It is a kick in the teeth for the victims.
I personally do not agree with this 50 per cent release date.
It is absolute nonsense, if he was given ten years then he should serve ten years, not half of it.
"It is the judiciary and the state letting us down.
A ten year sentence should mean a ten year sentence.
Nobody has any faith in the sentencing system anymore.
"I also think that the sentence was not long enough for causing the death of three children." June Homer, the secretary for Support after Murder and Manslaughter's Teesside branch, which covers Peterlee, added: "If it is true and he is released in the autumn, it will be absolutely devastating for the children's family.
"He has been given ten years and should serve the ten years.
The family have suffered enough.
"He has killed three children, only been given ten years for it and could soon be coming out.
It is dreadful."
