Brit monsters who could have last Xmas in jail and walk free – like Gary Glitter
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Some of Britain's most notorious criminals could be spending their last Christmas behind bars – before they are potentially freed in the new year.
The monsters are responsible for various crimes – from several brutal murders to the rapes of children.
High profile parole hearings are either taking place now or will be held in the near future to decide whether they should be allowed back into society.
READ MORE: Gary Glitter rape survivor breaks down into tears at pop paedo's prison release news
Here, we take a look at some of the biggest cases to be debated in the coming weeks.
Gary Glitter
Paedo Gary Glitter was caged in 2015 for offences dating between 1975 and 1980.
The pop star, whose real name is Paul Gadd, got a 16-year sentence for the attempted rape of an eight-year-old, having sex with a girl under 13 along with four counts of indecent assault.
But he is set to be a free man after serving half of his sentence.
Trying to reassure the public, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Sex offenders released from prison are closely monitored by both the police and the Probation Service and may be recalled to jail if they breach their strict licence conditions."
His case won’t be decided by a Parole Board because he received a determinate sentence.
This means Glitter, 78, will likely walk early in the new year and one of his victims, who was 10 when she was raped by him, said: "He is free to enjoy his money and his life now, but I live with what that man did to me every day of my life."
Patrick Mackay
Serial axe murderer Patrick Mackay was said to be “furious” after learning his parole hearing was delayed until March next year at the earliest.
He had hoped to be free by Christmas and the self-described “Devil’s Disciple” is the UK’s longest serving prisoner, having been inside for 47 years.
The Nazi loving killer, who is now in an open prison, was caged for three murders and he later admitted eight more killings before retracting them.
His three definite victims were Anthony Joseph Crean, Isabella Griffins and Adele Price.
Anthony Crean was a priest and Mackay split open his skull with an axe in 1975.
A Parole Board spokesman told The Mirror : “The parole review of Patrick Mackay has been adjourned.
“The Parole Board does everything it can to avoid these delays.
"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.
“The panel will carefully examine a whole range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as understand the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.”
Russell Causley
Earlier this month the UK’s first public parole review began and it featured wife killer Russell Causley.
He murdered Carole Packman, 40, in 1985 but spent the next decade as a free man, even faking his own death.
But Causley, from Bournemouth, was eventually convicted of murder in 1996 but this was quashed in 2003 before a retrial found him guilty again.
He was released in 2020 but was recalled for breaking licence conditions.
Causley, now 79, has never revealed the whereabouts of Carole’s body but told the recent hearing he burned her in his garden. He then said he scattered her remains in hedgerows and roadsides around town.
He is now hoping to be released from his life sentence and the Parole Board panel is expected to deliver its decision in the coming days.
Shane Armstrong
Sicko Shane Armstrong was jailed for life in 1995 after murdering a three-year-old girl and stuffing her mutilated body in a bin liner.
His victim, Rosie Palmer, was out buying a lolly near her home in Hartlepool when she was abducted.
She was then sexually assaulted and killed by Armstrong before her body was found in a bin liner inside his home.
But Armstrong, now 60, could be released early next year.
Neighbours used to call him “Tony the Pervert” and all his previous bids for freedom have been rejected, including his last one in January 2021.
But he will be given another opportunity soon, with a spokesperson for the Parole Board telling the Daily Mail: “We can confirm the parole review of Shaun Armstrong has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes. A hearing is expected to take place early next year with a decision shortly thereafter.
“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 such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.
“It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be 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.”
Jody Simpson and Anthony Smith
Little Tony Hudgell lost his legs after the horrific torture he suffered from his biological mum Jody Simpson and her boyfriend Anthony Smith.
The abuse he endured from six weeks old also resulted in broken bones, toxic shock syndrome, organ failure and sepsis.
Evil Simpson and Smith were jailed for ten years each in 2018 and were due to be released earlier this year until Justice Secretary Dominac Raab prevented it.
But it became a high court challenge when Simpson, 29, claimed his prevention was unlawful.
In recent days the High Court ruled it was indeed unlawful – meaning the abusers could be let out in the new year.
Tony is now looked after by caring parents and his adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, told the BBC: “I thought Dominic Raab had an extremely strong case.
“Obviously we knew they would be released at some point, but every extra day is a bonus as far as we’re concerned.”
Meanwhile, Tony’s Law was legalised in June meaning a person who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their home can be sentenced for life, rather than the previous maximum of 14 years.
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