A Walton bouncer who killed a customer could be moved to an open prison after serving just six months of his four year sentence.
The parents of the dead man, Scott Sheard, said they were appalled at hearing the news that Stuart Humphreys, who “poleaxed” their son leaving him severely brain damaged, was up for a security review.
In May Humphreys, 38, was jailed at Liverpool Crown court, after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Sheard, who he assaulted outside Destination Bar in Southport in 2009.
Mr Sheard, a Formby High old boy, suffered permanent brain damage and died in January, 2012, aged 26, after living the final years of his life in a nursing home.
Fenella Hill, Scott’s mother, told the ECHO that Humphreys could now move to an open prison, just six months into his sentence. A victim support charity informed her of the security review.
In a joint statement, Fenella and her husband Colin said: “We were surprised to learn that Mr Humphreys would get a review after just six months.
“We feel that it is too soon to allow him the freedom of an open prison. The result of his actions made Scott a prisoner in his own body for over two years before his death.
“We are heartbroken and it feels like justice hasn’t been served. It’s so unfair.”
Watch footage of the attack below
A spokesman for the MoJ said: “We do not comment on individuals. Prisoners will always be located in a prison best suited to meet their individual security and rehabilitation needs.
“A prisoner’s security categorisation is assessed on a number of factors, and is regularly reviewed in the light of information available to the prison, the police and other agencies.”
The ECHO understands the MoJ is yet to make a decision in the case.
All prisoners are subject to a security categorisation, which is subject to review. The reviews are normally held by a board or single prison governor. Prisoners’ lawyers often make representations on behalf of inmates.
Humphreys, of Kingfield Road, Walton, denied manslaughter and initially claimed he had slapped Mr Sheard with “the heel of his hand”, because he believed he was going to punch him.
He claimed Mr Sheard or his friend Luke Rigby had threatened to stab him.
Justice Dove, sentencing Humphreys, said: “Just one blow was all it took to destroy Scott Sheard’s life. One blow to take away the chance he had as a young man to find fulfilment and establish a family life.
“One blow to leave those close to him, who loved him, in a world bereft of their son, their brother, their friend.
“It is unnatural for any parent to have to bury their child, but especially so and especially cruel in the circumstances of this case. I understand you did not intend any of that but I cannot wish it away. It happened.”
Scott’s step-dad, Colin Hill, read from a victim statement in which he said Mr Sheard’s last two years were “a living hell” during which his suffering was “sickening and savage”. He said: “His life was a miserable existence.”
Scott nearly died several times after the incident on Coronation Walk. Fenella gave up work to care for her son, and hoped he might be able to come home, one day.
Although Humphreys was initially arrested, he was not charged with an offence.
After Scott died, Fenella vowed to see justice for her son, and began a campaign to bring pressure on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Last October, the CPS changed their minds and charged Humphreys with manslaughter, five years after the incident.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/