Beverley Allitt Takes First Steps Towards Freedom
Notorious UK child killer, Beverley Allitt, famously known as the 'angel of death', has taken initial steps towards her freedom. Allitt, who was found guilty of the murder of four children in her care at Grantham and Kesteven Hospital in 1991, will present before a mental health tribunal on Tuesday, October 3.
Mental Health Evaluation
This is the first instance that Allitt, aged 54, will be subjected to an evaluation to determine her suitability for a transfer to a mainstream prison since her 30-year sentence ended, as reported by the Mirror. Should her transfer to a general prison from Rampton Secure Hospital be approved, it could pave the way for her parole application.
Family Fears
The families of her victims believe that this is a 'significant moment' as Allitt would need to serve just six more months in a standard prison before she could apply for parole. Alan Asher, whose daughter Kayley was one of Allitt's victims, is fearful of her potential release. Kayley survived Allitt's attack but suffers lifelong issues with her motor skills, mobility, and hearing.
"She should never be released." Alan said. "Allitt should never have been in a hospital, she should have been sent to prison. Can you imagine if she were freed? It would destroy Kayley. She’d be terrified, looking in cupboards and around the house because she didn’t feel safe."
A Deadly Past
In 1993, Allitt received a minimum sentence of 30 years for the murder of four children – seven-month-old Liam Taylor, 11-year-old Timothy Hardwick, two-month-old Becky Phillips, and 15-month-old Claire Peck. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder an additional three children and attacking six others at Grantham and Kesteven Hospital. She was diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and sent to Rampton, near Retford. At the time, a judge called her 'a serious danger' and predicted that it was unlikely she would ever be fit for release.
A spokesperson for the Courts and Tribunal Judiciary stated that they are 'never able to comment on specific cases'. Similarly, a representative for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust declined to comment due to patient confidentiality.