Distress as appeal court overturns prison term

THE daughter of murdered Isis hostage David Haines has spoken of her disgust after the stalker who taunted her about her father’s death had his prison term overturned on appeal.

Bethany Haines fled the appeal court in distress when judges quashed the 21-month prison sentence which had been imposed on Andrew Murray, 22, at Perth Sheriff Court.

Murray — who appeared via video link — was freed after the appeal court judges ruled the original sentence had been too severe. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community instead.

Outside court, Bethany, 20, said: “It is absolutely appalling. I left the court because I was so upset when they said they were imposing a community payback order and he was getting out.

“I cannot believe that someone who did such horrible things and is a danger to the public can be let off to do community payback.

“I am worried, because he knows everything about me. I have had to put things in place to protect myself.”

The appeal court was told Murray had returned to live with a foster family in England and was studying sports science at college in Newcastle.

Murray was originally jailed for 21 months for subjecting Bethany to a “degrading and humiliating” campaign of abuse for six months while they were in a relationship.

He tore up the treasured 45-page scrapbook she had compiled following her father’s death in Syria. David Haines, 44, was beheaded by the terrorist dubbed Jihadi John in September 2014. He was the first Briton to die in the killer’s propaganda videos.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis jailed Murray after noting he had shown little remorse for his actions.

Murray, from Perth, admitted stalking the student in the Perthshire town of Coupar Angus between April 1 and October 3 2016.

Murray at his first court appearance.