A PAROLE hearing date has still not been set over the release of a handyman who murdered four people at the New Forest country house where he worked.
It was recommended that George Francis Stephenson spend at least 25 years behind bars before being allowed to seek parole after he was found guilty in October 1987 of murdering Joseph Cleaver, his disabled wife Hilda Cleaver, their son Tom Cleaver and family nurse Margaret Murphy.
In 2001, then Labour home secretary Jack Straw increased this minimum term to 35 years for the killing spree which took place at Burgate House in Fordingbridge in September 1986.
Stephenson, who was 36 when he was sent down, and his co-defendants - brothers George and John Daly - were convicted after a three-week trial.
As reported earlier this year, Stephenson was automatically referred to the Parole Board by the justice secretary and a parole review started in the standard process.
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Providing an update to the Daily Echo, the Parole Board confirmed no hearing dates had been set but it was likely to be around spring next year.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: "We can confirm the parole review of George Stephenson has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes.
"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
"A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
"Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.
"Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.
"The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.
"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."
Stephenson, who was acquitted of murdering Wendy Cleaver, was sentenced to six life sentences for murder, rape and robbery, and John Daly was handed seven life sentences after being convicted of the same offences. George Daly was cleared of murder but sentenced to 22 years for rape, robbery and manslaughter.
In 2008, Stephenson appealed Mr Straw's intervention but Mr Justice Tugendhat upheld the 2001 decision. This meant 2021 was set as the minimum tariff – the minimum number of years he must spend behind bars before being considered for parole.
Mr Justice Tugendhat described the murders as "sadistic", adding that three of Stephenson's victims were vulnerable because of their age and disability.
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