Brother fears for family if killer is released

The brother of a woman murdered in 2008 says he is worried for his family if her killer is released from prison.

Jason Burrows was jailed for a minimum of 15 years in 2009 after strangling his ex-partner Gemma Sisley in Milton Keynes when she was collecting her belongings after ending their relationship.

Ms Sisley's family has appealed against a recommendation by the Parole Board to release Burrows.

Her brother Tom, who was 17 at the time of his sister's death, described Ms Sisley as "the corner pin of our family".

"I can still relive that day pretty lividly in my mind," he said.

His sister's death, he said, had "torn us apart".

Decisions on granting parole focus on a prisoner's risk to the public if released and are made after examining "a huge range of evidence", the Parole Board said.

"I have a real and genuine fear for my family," Mr Sisley said.

"Burrows showed what he was capable of 15 years ago and showed what kind of person he was after he did what he did.

"He was bragging about it to friends, texting Gemma's closest friends, I don't feel he's safe to be in the public."

Burrows' trial heard that in October 2008 he put toilet paper down the 22-year-old's throat to stop others hearing her screams before strangling her.

Mr Sisley said he felt Burrows has "played the game" to gain parole but had "not really been rehabilitated at a point where he is safe to be released".

The family never felt his sentence fitted the crime, Mr Sisley added.

"As a family, we're the ones with a life sentence," he said.

Mr Sisley said he felt the parole system was "not fit for purpose".

"I don't think the parole system is suitable when you're talking about murders, people who have done heinous crimes, show no remorse for it and played the system and [Burrows] is potentially going to be walking free in a month.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board confirmed that following a hearing it had directed Burrows' release.

In its decision, seen by the BBC, the Parole Board said Burrows had completed accredited programmes before being moved to an open prison, where it said he had complied well with the regime and reintegration into the community.

They said a "huge range of evidence" was considered when making decisions, including the impact the crime had had on the victims.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority," the spokesperson added.

If released, Burrows would have strict licence conditions.

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