Anger of murdered former cop’s family after killer’s release

● His children back Michelle’s Law ● Victims’ welfare ‘should be considered’

The family of a former policeman who was bludgeoned to death in his home have spoken of their “total shock” when they were informed of his killer’s temporary release from prison.

The children of Michael Mosey gave their support to Michelle’s Law to give victims’ families more rights when it comes to the release of prisoners after their case was raised at First Minister’s Questions.

Tory leader Ruth Davidson said their father’s killer John Mackie had his 18-year sentence reduced to 13-years on appeal. This summer Mr Mosey’s family had heard rumours that he was to be released early and contacted the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

The SPS wrote back claiming he was not being considered for such release. But six weeks later around the anniversary of their father’s death the family received another letter from the SPS informing him that Mackie had been approved for First Grant of Temporary Release.

Mr Mosey’s daughter Rachel Carson said: “John Mackie was a repeat offender who had ten previous convictions for assault with weapons, before he escalated to the vicious, unprovoked murder of our beloved dad.

“We were in total shock when we received the letter from the SPS...THE lack of humanity and empathy in the letter is truly heartless and this needs to change.”

Mr Mosey’s son Daniel found his battered father lying bleeding in his house at Braehead, Lanarkshire, after the attack.

The Tories have been pushing for “Michelle’s Law”, a proposal put forward by the relatives of Michelle Stewart, who was just 17 when she was stabbed to death in Drongan, Ayrshire, by John Wilson.

The Michelle’s Law campaign calls for an explicit requirement for the safety and welfare of victims and families to be taken into account when parole and early release are considered. The campaign also wants increased use of powers to impose exclusion zones on offenders and improvements to the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) so victims and families are given reasons for an offender’s release and can make representations in person.

Ms Sturgeon said: “We’re actively considering the Stewart family’s proposals, and indeed other calls for improvements, in detail.”

A spokeswoman for the SPS said: “We do not comment on individual cases. Those on home leave are released on license conditions. A rigorous risk assessment is undertaken prior to any offender being granted home leave.”