Commissioner slams early release of child killer

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer has expressed disgust at a Parole Board decision to release a man who raped and murdered a nine year old girl, years before the end of his minimum sentence originally handed down by the court.

John O’Shaughnessy was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison in 1997, after he raped and strangled Kayleigh Ward and disposed of her body in the River Dee.

In a letter to Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP, the Commissioner asked for an urgent review of the decision.

John Dwyer said:

“Justice can mean different things to different victims, but this unfathomable decision flies in the face of what every decent human being should consider right and wrong. Kayleigh and her family deserve so much better.

““I often talk about improving public confidence in policing. That must go hand in hand with confidence in the justice system as a whole. I am on record as a believer that life should mean life, so for the perpetrator of such a sickening crime to be released before their minimum term has even been served makes a mockery of our justice system and fails victims.

Text of open letter from Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer to Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP:

“Dear Lord Chancellor,

I am writing in regard to a recent Parole Board decision to release child rapist and murderer John O’Shaughnessy from prison.

You may be aware of the background, but in 1997, John O'Shaughnessy was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 30 years after he raped and murdered Kayleigh Ward, aged 9, before throwing her body into the River Dee. At the time, I was then Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary.

I urge you to look into this matter as a priority and review the decision taken by the Parole Board at the earliest opportunity.

It is utterly incomprehensible that O’Shaughnessy is set to be released from prison despite having not yet served the minimum sentence imposed on him by the court. To do so would not only be wrong, but it would see our justice system badly failing Kayleigh and her family.

I would be happy to discuss this matter with you directly if that would be of assistance.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.”

Pictured - Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer.