Why he did not get life

JAGGS could have expected a harsh sentence if he had been convicted of murder, which carries an automatic life term. But he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and this plea was accepted.

A judge can then either send a defendant to jail or to a secure mental health hospital, which means that their release is determined by the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

The tribunal members – a judge, doctor and mental health expert – consider doctors’ statements as well as the risk of reoffending.

However, there have been a number of cases where killers have struck again after being released too early from secure units.