Minister backs family’s appeal for murderer given whole-life sentence to stay behind bars

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A cabinet minister has urged justice secretary Alex Chalk not to release a murderer diagnosed with terminal cancer, after his victim’s family were told he may be freed on compassionate grounds. After a manhunt led to him being arrested in the south of France, he was handed a whole-life order, with a judge at Winchester Crown Court telling him: “This murder was so terrible, and you are so dangerous, that in your case the sentence of life should mean just that.” open image in gallery Glenda Hoskins was murdered in 1996 by her former boyfriend Farrant at her Portsmouth home.Family handout/PA) However, in February, Mrs Hoskins’ family were told by probation officials that Farrant was being considered for release on health grounds and were asked if they wished for an exclusion zone to be added to his terms of licence. “I find it deeply troubling that a man such as Mr Farrant is being considered for release on compassionate grounds when it is evident, he displayed no compassion towards his victims.” In a letter to the multi-agency public protection panel, Mrs Hoskins’ son Ian said the thought of Farrant receiving compassionate release made his “blood boil”. open image in gallery Ian Hoskins said the prospect of Farrant being released on compassionate grounds made his ‘blood boil’ “Our mother was murdered and subjected to months of terror and stalking by this vile creature - where’s her compassion?,” he said.