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Mum 'terrified' over release of daughter's killer

Family handout A picture of Joanne Tulip. She is sat on a green plastic garden chair in front of a hedge. She has blond hair in a ponytail and is wearing a cream crop top, cream trousers, golden earrings and bracelet and a watch. She is smiling at the camera.Family handout
Joanne Tulip was killed on Christmas Day in 1997

The mother of a woman who was murdered 28 years ago says she is "terrified" at the prospect of the killer's imminent release from prison.

Steven Ling was jailed for a minimum of 18 years for stabbing Joanne Tulip 60 times at Stamfordham, Northumberland, on Christmas Day in 1997.

Ms Tulip's mother, Doreen Soulsby, has been fighting to prevent Ling's release but believes he will be freed next week.

She said: "I am terrified that he'll do the same to somebody else."

Ms Tulip had gone to Ling's house after a chance meeting at a local pub with friends.

Her body was found after Ling gave himself up to the police when the car in which he was trying to escape broke down.

'No confidence'

Ms Tulip, a hairdresser, was 29 when she was murdered by Ling, then 23, who also admitted raping her.

However, the rape charge was left on file which means he has not been classed as a sex offender.

Last year, the Parole Board directed he should be released and rejected an intervention from Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood who asked it to reconsider the decision.

Mrs Soulsby said: "They say they are confident he can be managed in the community safely, I've just got no confidence.

"He will reoffend."

Doreen Soulsby being interviewed by Look North. She is sitting in a conservatory with a garden wall visible beyond the windows. She has short blond hair and green eyes. She is looking serious. Two wooden giraffe statues are by her left shoulder.
Doreen Soulsby raised concerns about the size of the exclusion zone imposed on Ling

The Parole Board said Ling would be subject to conditions which included monitoring and a curfew, as well as an exclusion area to avoid contact with the victim's family.

But Mrs Soulsby said: "The exclusion zone is so tiny at the moment and I've asked for a broader one but I've heard nothing back.

"It's a bit worrying where he'll eventually end up."

When it confirmed its intention to free Ling, the Parole Board said such decisions were "solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public" and whether that risk was manageable in the community.

The Ministry of Justice added: "Ling will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and probation supervision and he faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules."

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