Killer who stabbed woman 60 times released

Steven Ling, pictured around the time of his conviction in 1998, was 23 years old when he murdered Joanne Tulip

A murderer who raped and stabbed a woman 60 times has been released from prison.

Steven Ling was jailed for life in December 1998 after admitting his attack on Joanne Tulip, 29, in Stamfordham, Northumberland.

He was recommended for release by the Parole Board in 2024.

Ling's release is subject to conditions which include informing the authorities of any future relationships, being subject to monitoring and a curfew, and staying out of an exclusion zone to avoid contact with his victim's family.

Ms Tulip's mother, Doreen Soulsby, recently told the BBC she believed Ling would offend again.

• Mum 'terrified' over release of daughter's killer

She said: "Ling's release is a grave error by the Parole Board, one that has deeply shaken my confidence in the justice system.

"I am now filled with fear for the safety of all women, especially young women, knowing that Ling, who committed the most horrific and sadistic crimes against my daughter, is no longer behind bars. I firmly believe he poses a significant risk and will reoffend."

Joanne Tulip, a hairdresser, was 29 when she was murdered

Ling, who was a 23-year-old farm labourer at the time, murdered Ms Tulip on Christmas Day in 1997.

The hairdresser had gone to his house after a chance meeting at a local pub with friends.

Her body was found after he gave himself up to the police when the car in which he was trying to escape broke down.

'Immediate prison return'

Ling was recommended for release following his fifth parole hearing.

The Parole Board was then asked by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to reconsider its recommendation on the basis that it was legally irrational, but the decision was upheld.

He admitted rape but the charge was left to lie on file meaning he has not been classed as a sex offender.

In its ruling, the Parole Board said: "Mr Ling has always accepted that he raped the victim."

The panel accepted he had undertaken an official programme to address his violent and sexual offending, and his conduct in prison "has largely been exemplary".

An MoJ spokesperson said: "Steven Ling will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision after he is released, including not to contact Joanne's family."

The spokesperson added that Ling faced an "immediate return to prison" if he broke the rules.

Additional reporting by PA Media.