An Exeter mother of two was viciously stabbed to death by her estranged partner in 2001 after a long-term relationship dominated by domestic violence against her.
Now, the devastated parents of Colleen Chudley have told Echo reporter Adam Walmesley of their horror about the prospect of his imminent release from prison.
THE heartbroken parents of an Exeter woman brutally murdered by a Gulf War veteran 14 years ago have expressed fears he could be released within months.
Mother of two Colleen Chudley, 27, was stabbed up to 40 times with three knives at her home in Silverton, on January 16, 2001.
Ex-Royal Artillery gunner Paul Delaney, now 43, was jailed for life in July 2002 after being found guilty of unlawfully killing his former girlfriend.
But his 'tariff' – the minimum term he must serve behind bars before parole is considered – was set at 14 years.
Now Stuart, 69, and Sylvia, 68, Chudley, who live in Pinhoe, are concerned he may be released this year – and claim he should never be allowed out of prison.
Mr Chudley said: "We didn't get justice for Colleen. Life should mean life. His tariff of 14 years was nowhere near enough. What he did to her was absolutely horrendous.
"He stabbed her 40-odd times and he left three knives in her. They should bring back hanging for a murder like Colleen's. It was a terrible, terrible crime."
The couple, who raised Colleen and Delaney's children, admit they will be scared for their family's safety when he is released.
Mr Chudley said: "I fear for all of us, because I don't believe prison will change someone like him. We won't feel safe with him out. We'll be on edge all the time, and we won't be able to sleep."
Delaney joined the Royal Artillery at the age of 17, and took part in the Gulf War conflict in 1990-91.
After returning home, his behaviour deteriorated rapidly. Delaney was dishonourably discharged from the army in 1992 – the year he met Colleen.
They lived together in Countess Wear during an eight-year relationship plagued by drunken domestic violence.
During the trial the court heard how he made Colleen's life 'hell'. He was controlling, possessive, violent and regularly attacked her. She was too frightened to make a police statement or press charges.
Mrs Chudley said: "He was against her from the beginning, but he wouldn't go away. He abused her mentally and physically, and in the end she didn't know where to turn."
Colleen eventually managed to gain the courage to end the relationship shortly before the killing.
Mr Chudley said: "I would urge anyone who is the victim of domestic violence or knows someone who is the victim to get help. But I know if it's going on behind closed doors, it's very difficult to get help."
Colleen moved to Silverton in December 2000, while Delaney went to Plymouth. She kept her address a secret in an effort to escape from him.
On the day of the killing, Delaney received court papers detailing a bid by Colleen to send him to prison for allegedly breaching an order to prevent him harassing her.
After catching a bus from Plymouth to Exeter and another to Silverton, he found her house and battered his way through the front door with a piece of wood.
Colleen died almost immediately when Delaney stabbed her between 30 and 40 times with three different knives.
Her body was found by police who were called to an address in Park Close after neighbours heard screams.
Their two children, a girl and a boy – then seven and four – were upstairs in the house at the time of the attack.
Delaney called his sister and the police to tell them he had killed his girlfriend, before leaving the house and driving off in Colleen's car. He denied murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Delaney had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the Gulf War.
At his first trial in March 2002 the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict in 13 hours.
At the re-trial in July 2002 the jury took just 70 minutes to convict him of murder.
Sentencing him at Exeter crown court, Justice Hallett said: "You are a walking time bomb. It is not clear when you will ever be anything else than dangerous."
Fourteen years after Colleen's murder, Mr Chudley said time had been unable to heal his anger and grief about what happened.
He said: "She's been gone 14 years, but it never goes away. It's as raw today as the day it happened for both of us, and the rest of the family including the children. People seem to think as time goes it heals and gets better, but in this situation it doesn't. It seems to get worse, and it's with you 24/7. I'm full of hate towards him. That's never changed and never will change till the day I go to the grave."
Mr and Mrs Chudley said they have tried to continue their lives, but would always miss Colleen.
"We miss Colleen so much. She was a lovely, bubbly girl who lived for her children. She didn't do anyone any harm, and she didn't deserve what she got. She was everything to us," said Mr Chudley.
To mark the anniversary of Colleen's death, the couple have written in memory of their daughter: "Remembering our darling Colleen. 14 years ago taken by Evil. A day to remember. Silently kept. No need for words. We will never forget. Forever in our hearts. Heartbroken."
Anyone suffering domestic violence can call Refuge's 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247.
