Jailed killer Tracie Andrews goes on trip to shops

Murderer Tracie Andrews went on an eight-hour shopping spree when she was let out of jail for the day to prepare for her release.

Andrews, aged 41, stabbed her fiance Lee Harvey 37 times 14 years ago, telling police they had been the victims of a road rage attack.

She was temporarily released from Askham Grange open prison in Yorkshire to browse stores in York city centre on Saturday.

She was pictured wandering around the shops with a friend, buying clothes from high street shop H&M and enjoying a lunch out at Nando's.She also visited Poundland, Boots, Sports Direct and Currys.

The Ministry of Justice does not comment on individual prisoners, but when asked about Andrews' shopping jaunt, a spokesman said: "Release on temporary licence is used to prepare prisoners for their eventual release from custody.

"It helps to reduce the chance of reoffending by setting up appropriate employment and rehabilitation work in the community, and maintaining family contact."

Her victim's mother Maureen, 62, told a national newspaper today: "I did know about this. To be honest it's very upsetting and traumatic."

Andrews stabbed 25-year-old Mr Harvey 37 times as the couple made their way to their home in Worcester in December 1996.

She claimed to police he was the victim of a vicious road-rage attack, tearfully describing his attacker as a crazed "fat man with staring eyes", in a televised police press conference.

Andrews was convicted of murder in July 1997 by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court and given a life sentence, with a minimum tariff of 14 years. It is believed that since her imprisonment, Andrews has chan-ged her name to Tia Carter and had cosmetic surgery.