Murderers and rapists living on our streets

More than 100 murderers, rapists and robbers sentenced to life in prison are living in towns and cities across the Midlands, an Express & Star investigation has discovered.

The figures show there are 117 people who have been given life sentences residing in Staffordshire and West Midlands. The figures, obtained using Freedom of Information laws, show there are a total of 111 men and six women jailed for life for such crimes as murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, grievous bodily harm, arson.

In Staffordshire there are a total of 33 lifers living in the community, 31 men and two women. Criminals serving a life sentence in the community can live anonymous lives without their neighbours being made aware of their past.

Under a life licence they can be returned to prison at any time and must inform the probation service of any changes to their circumstances.

The revelations have angered relatives of murder victims who spoke out today.

Pregnant 19-year-old Kristie Johnson, was stabbed 17 times by her boyfriend Alec Goode at her home in Armitage Road, Rugeley, in March 2007. Goode received a minimum 15-year life sentence.

Her father Peter Johnson said he believed allowing murderers to live in the community put the public at risk.

"My belief is that if they did it once, they could do it again. If someone has it in them to kill that doesn't go away," he said.

The 54-year-old, who is now raising Kristie's four-year-old daughter, said: "Releasing these people into the community is disgusting. Life should mean life and the public should have the right to know where they are. Kristie's killer will be able to have a life but my daughter won't and my granddaughter will have to grow up without a mother."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "Parole Board panels are independent and cannot direct the release of such prisoners until the panel is satisfied that any risk they present may be safely managed in the community.