Do not let my son's killer out in just 12 months jail

My son Alyn Thomas was killed on August 21st 2009 at the young age of 22 years.

His killer was a young woman whom he had been seeing for just three months prior to his death. The woman's name was Katherine McGrath aged 18 years old who I will refer to as "Kat" in this article. Kat stabbed my son through the heart during a supposed argument at her parents home in the early hours of the morning after being out drinking earlier in the night. Kat was arrested and charged with murder, but was left out on bail until the trial which ensued in February 2010. When Kat's trial commenced she was prosecuted for murder, but was found guilty of manslaughter.

Kat refused to give evidence at her trial, and we have only her version of events as to what occurred on that fateful day, as there was no one else present at the scene. Kat was given a five year custodial sentence at a young offenders secure unit, and she also had time off her sentence to be served because she had "tagged bail" time taken into account. This actually means she will be released from the young offenders unit on May 14th 2112, having served 50% of her sentence in custody.

I am dismayed and shock to find out that Kat is now entitled to apply for "Rehabilitation" and a reduced category "D" status as a prisoner. This means that she will be allowed privileges and also time out in her local community (Bridgend) working part-time to help prepare her for her forth coming release. I understand that this is bound to occur nearer the end of her custodial sentence, but surely not after being incarcerated for less than twelve months after what is a lenient sentence handed down by the courts.

I strongly feel that Kat should serve her full custodial sentence because she has taken a life and therefore truly deserves to be punished appropriately, and I will vehemently oppose her application for rehabilitation through the media and my local MP.

Regards,

Stephen Thomas