Murdered teenagers' families share relief as killer refused release

George Green and Samantha Barton were both 16-years-old when they were murdered

The families of two teenagers have said they are relieved their killer will stay in prison after his bid for parole on the Isle of Man was denied.

Peter Newbery was jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 20 years for killing 16-year-olds George Green and Samantha Barton in 2002.

Newbery's request, which considered if he remains a risk to the public, was refused by the parole committee.

Mr Green's sister Jackie Christian said she "felt a weight had been lifted".

Margaret Green and Jackie Christian say their family were relieved Newbery will stay in prison

The family said they had feared they would cross paths with Newbery if he were released, and that he may reoffend.

Ms Christian said: "We would never want any other family to go through what we've been though."

Newbery sexually assaulted and strangled the teenagers, who had both had contact with social services, and was convicted of their murders the following year.

He was transferred to a prison in the UK, but brought back to the Isle of Man in 2020.

George Green was the youngest of six children in the family

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) previously said Isle of Man prisoners serving life sentences were returned to the island before the end of their jail term so that they would not be subject to automatic release in the UK.

A DHA spokeswoman said if an appeal was refused the committee would specify a time period after which the applicant could reapply, which was dependent on the specifics of each case.

The family praised their liaison officers of the time of the murders, but said they had been given very little guidance or reassurance around the time of the hearing.

Mr Green's mother Margaret Green said it had been difficult to deliver statements describing how the family had been affected but "if it keeps him inside, we have to do it".

Peter Newbery was jailed for a minimum of 20 years in 2003

While the family were relieved at the decision "situations like this bring it all back" and led to "flashbacks and nightmares", Ms Christian said.

On future release requests by Newbery, she said it would lead it it all being "dragged up again", adding: "It just never seems to go away... I couldn't sleep for weeks before the hearing."

Samantha Barton's mother, Rose Barton, said she left the Isle of Man two years ago because she no longer felt safe knowing Newbery could be released.

She said the loss of her daughter had been "devastating" and "life should mean life" for Newbery.

"He doesn't deserve to get out, ever," Ms Barton added.

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