A CHRISTMAS Day killer has been denied a move to open prison. 

The Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab has rejected the Parole Board's recommendation - in a landmark case.

Steven Ling, a farm labourer then 23, murdered hairdresser Joanne Tulip, 29, on December 25, 1997.

Joanne had met Ling while out celebrating on Christmas Eve with friends before she was stabbed 60 times at his Stamfordham home. Ling also carved crosses and swastikas on her body before and after death. He later attempted to set fire to her.

Ling told police he wanted to kill himself because he had also raped Joanne before killing her – but he never stood trial for rape. 

On December 2, 1998, Ling received a mandatory life sentence and was ordered to spend a minimum of 17 years and 25 days in prison. This term expired in 2015.

Ling has now been deemed "unsuitable" by Raab for open prison and will remain behind bars.

Joanne's mother Doreen Soulsby, of Wall, said the decision was bittersweet as a target date for Ling's next review is May 2023.

"We got the result we wanted - for now", said Doreen. "He should be kept in prison for the rest of his life. How can you let a man like that out? 

"He's not a convicted sex offender, so if he did come out into open prison and he was on day release, nobody would know what he's done. 

"47-years-old, 24 years in jail, no socialising with women, if he saw some pretty girls walking down the street, what would he do? He still poses a risk.

"I don't know how you rehabilitate somebody whose head's wired like that."

In an email to Raab, Doreen told him of previously unreported instances, starting aged 12, which she believed, show Ling's sexual development and violent nature. 

Guy Opperman MP, who helped Doreen to lobby ministers, said: "I spent 15 years prosecuting murderers like Stephen Ling and sending them to prison.

"My constituent Doreen Soulsby has been through so much, and she will be relieved by the Secretary of State’s intervention.

"Doreen is one of the bravest and most resilient of my many amazing constituents."