Girl’s killer back in jail
NEWS COMES DAYS AFTER COUNTY MP ASKED FOR REASSURANCES OVER SYSTEM AFTER RELEASE
A man convicted of the “appalling murder” of a schoolgirl has been sent back to prison just 23 days after his release.
Edwin Hopkins received a mandatory life sentence in 1997 for the brutal murder of 15-year-old Naomi Smith, from Nuneaton.
The news comes just days after Bosworth MP Dr Luke Evans called on the government to ensure public safety was truly at the heart of decisions made by the Parole Board.
Naomi’s body was discovered in a playground near her family home in September 1995 after she had gone to post a letter for her mum.
Her throat had been cut and there were signs of sexual assault.
Hopkins, convicted at Birmingham Crown Court in 1997, never admitted guilt despite large amounts of DNA evidence.
He was released in December despite pleas from Naomi’s family that he stay locked up.
Now, it has been announced that he has been recalled to prison for breaking one of the conditions of his release. It is not yet known which condition he breached.
However, among the rules, the list barred him from going back to the Nuneaton area or engaging with children.
Leicestershire MP Dr Evans spoke out last year against double-childkiller Colin Pitchfork being released.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Dr Evans said: “Marcus Jones, the MP for Nuneaton, and I have both raised concerns about the release of Edwin Hopkins.
“Now, I know the Secretary of State can’t retrospectively apply the law around parole, but can he assure my constituents and residents in neighbouring Nuneaton that the new laws in the Victim and Prisoners Bill, going through Parliament at the moment, put public safety at the heart of future Parole Board decisions?”
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC said: “The reforms in the Victims and Prisoners Bill do ensure that public safety is at the forefront of parole decisions, including by codifying the release test in law and introducing a new power to allow the Secretary of State to direct a second check on the release of some of the most serious offenders.”
Speaking after the session, Dr Evans added: “The legislation coming forward can’t come soon enough.”
THE Classic Rock Show is rocking up at De Montfort Hall this week.
Billed as bigger and better and celebrating the very best of classic rock, the acclaimed band are already thrilling audiences on their 27-date run of UK shows.
It will be in Leicester on Thursday, January 25.
Paying tribute to its favourite rock heroes, Classic Rock Show thunders through legendary performances of music from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, The Who, Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Queen, Rainbow, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and many more.
Talking about the new tour, singer, guitarist and musical director James Cole said: “For anyone who has not seen the Classic Rock Show before, we want to deliver a performance that takes you back and allows you to feel the emotions and excitement you felt the very first time you heard these songs, whether that was on record, cassette or even CD!”
For tickets to the gig, visit the Ticketmaster website.