David McGreavy: 'Monster of Worcester' who murdered three children set to be freed from jail
David McGreavy murdered a four-year-old and the child's two young sisters in their home before hanging their bodies on a fence.
Wednesday 5 December 2018 13:47, UK
A killer dubbed the "Monster of Worcester", who was jailed 45 years ago for killing three young children, has been cleared for release by the Parole Board.
David McGreavy was sentenced to life in 1973 for murdering four-year-old Paul Ralph and the boy's sisters Dawn, two, and nine-month-old Samantha in their home, before hanging their mutilated bodies on a fence outside.
Paul had been strangled, Dawn was found with her throat cut and Samantha died from a compound fracture to the skull.
McGreavy, who as a family friend and lodger, then impaled their bodies on the spiked garden railings of a house in Worcester.
He claimed he killed the children because one of them would not stop crying.
The Parole Board has confirmed a panel directed his release following an oral hearing.
The children's mother Elsie Urry, who has also been known as Dorothy, criticised the decision, telling The Sun: "What this animal did to my children was every bit as bad as what the Moors Murderers did.
"But Ian Brady and Myra Hindley never left prison before they died so why the hell should he?
"He put my babies on spikes for God's sake - he mutilated them and they died in agony.
"I wanted him dead and to suffer like they had but was reassured after his trial that his crime was so terrible he would never walk free again.
"But despite begging them to keep him locked up, I have now finally been betrayed."
A Parole Board document about McGreavy's case referred to a personal statement from the victims' mother "setting out the devastating effect that these deaths had on her and still do have".
The document said McGreavy has changed "considerably" over his 45 years in custody.
It added: "He has developed self-control, as well as a considerable understanding of the problems that he has had and what caused them.
"The psychologist identified a number of factors which make it less likely that Mr McGreavy will reoffend in future.
"These included his improved self-control and the fact that Mr McGreavy has learnt to remain calm in stressful situations.
"He has also shown himself to be compliant and co-operative with authority, which suggests that he will comply with licence conditions.
"A network of supportive friends in the community was also identified as a protective factor."
It continued: "After considering the circumstances of offending, the progress made while in custody, the evidence presented at the hearing, and the proposed release plan, the panel was satisfied that Mr McGreavy was suitable for release.
"The panel...were satisfied that living in the proposed hostel would provide greater support and a better prospect of successful rehabilitation than spending time in an open prison."
It went on: "Mr McGreavy's release is subject to licence conditions, which must be strictly adhered to, including complying with requirements to reside at a designated address, be of good behaviour, and report as required for supervision or other appointments."
The Parole Board said: "Parole Board decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release.
"The panel will have carefully looked at a whole range of evidence, including details of the original evidence and any evidence of behaviour change.
"We do that with great care and public safety is our number one priority."