A man who admitted the rape and murder of a woman he stabbed 60 times during sex 27 years ago should be freed from prison, the Parole Board has said.
Steven Ling was jailed for life in December 1998 after admitting an attack on Joanne Tulip, 29, in Stamfordham, Northumberland.
He has been recommended for release following his fifth parole hearing.
Farm labourer Stephen Ling stabbed Joanne Tulip 60 times during sex. Pic: PA
A charge of rape was left on file during the original court case, so he is not a convicted sex offender, but in its ruling the Parole Board stated: “Mr Ling has always accepted that he raped the victim.”
His vicious murder of Ms Tulip on Christmas Day 1997 was inspired by sadism, the sentencing judge said back in 1998.
Jailing him for life at Newcastle Crown Court, Mr Justice Potts told Ling he “inflicted appalling injuries on (Ms Tulip) while you were having sexual relations with her.
“I’m also satisfied that there was in your motivation an aspiration of sadism. You will never be released so long as it is thought you constitute a danger to women.”
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