Notorious police killer Harry Roberts to walk free from Channings Wood Prison 48 years after being told by a judge he should never be released
Notorious police killer Harry Roberts is to walk free – 48 years after being told by a judge he should never be released.
Roberts – who murdered three officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London in 1966 – has been cleared for release from Channings Wood Prison, Newton Abbot.
Roberts, now 78, was jailed for life for the murder of three policemen in an act which shocked the country and was condemned by the judge as "the most heinous crime for a generation or more".
He was sitting in his van with two other men near Wormwood Scrubs Prison in west London preparing for an armed robbery when he opened fire on three plain-clothed officers.
Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, 30, who was born and brought up in Dartmouth and Torquay; Detective Constable David Wombwell, 25; and Pc Geoffrey Fox, 41, were all killed in the attack on August 12 1966.
The triple murder shocked the nation, and Roberts would have hanged for it - but the death penalty had been abolished the year before.
Roberts is expected to leave Littlehey Prison in Cambridgeshire within days after the Parole Board is understood to have approved his release.
Police have hit out at the release.
Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "I am appalled to learn that police killer Harry Roberts is being released from prison. Let's not forget, this menace murdered three unarmed police officers in cold blood and it is abhorrent news.
"This decision by the parole board is a slap in the face for the families of the three police officers he brutally murdered who, once again, are forced to re-live their pain and loss. It will spark fury among everyone in the police family who will feel badly let down."
Old Bailey judge Mr Justice Glyn-Jones jailed Roberts for life for his crimes, giving him a minimum 30-year tariff.
But, sentencing him, he said: "I think it likely that no home secretary regarding the enormity of your crime will ever think fit to show mercy by releasing you on licence. This is one of those cases in which the sentence of imprisonment for life may well be treated as meaning exactly what it says."
The infamy surrounding the triple murderer sparked sick chants among football fans who sang from the terraces "Harry Roberts is our friend – he kills coppers".
Mr White said Roberts' release underlined the urgent need for new legislation to make sure life prison sentences for those who murder police "mean life".
He said: "We pride ourselves on having a largely unarmed police service in England and Wales. However, in turn, we expect the judicial system to provide the deterrent needed to help protect police officers from injury or serious harm while doing their duty.
"In May 2013, the Home Secretary said she would introduce legislation to make sure life really does mean life for people who murder police officers. We cannot go on waiting. This needs to happen urgently. This decision by the parole board will do nothing to give confidence to police officers and the public that the most serious and dangerous offenders will remain behind bars."
The current minimum term is 30 years before a killer of police or prison officers can be considered for parole and under the amendment to the Criminal Justice & Courts Bill, a whole-life sentence would not be mandatory.
Speaking at the time,Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Police officers play a vital role in keeping communities safe. As has been tragically demonstrated in recent years, this role is a dangerous one which can lead to officers paying the ultimate price while serving their community.
"It is essential that police and prison officers feel the full weight of the state is behind them as they fulfil their crucial duties."
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We do not comment on individuals.
"The release of life sentence prisoners is directed by the independent Parole Board once they are satisfied they can be safely managed in the community. Once released, they are subject to strict controls for as long as their risk requires them. If they fail to comply with these conditions, they can be immediately returned to prison.
"Offenders managed through multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPAs) are monitored and supervised by probation, police and other agencies."
Yesterday a government source confirmed Roberts would go free.
The source told The Sun: 'It's the Parole Board's decision. He will be subject to strict controls, strict supervision for as long as is needed.'
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'We do not comment on individuals.'
