Joanne Tulip murder: Stephen Ling due for parole review

Doreen Soulsby, of Wall, has fought for 26 years to ensure Stephen Ling, the murderer of her daughter Joanne Tulip, is never released, even to an open prison.

Ling is due for a parole review on November 14 and 15 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

(R) Joanne Tulip (Image: Supplied)

Doreen said she fears the parole board may recommend his release into an open prison again, a decision which was overturned last year by Dominic Raab, Justice Secretary at the time.   

Joanne, who was 29 when she died, was killed in Stamfordham on Christmas Day 1997.

Joanne Tulip (Image: Supplied)

Her mother has since campaigned for reform to the criminal justice system. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has told Doreen that new legislation in the King's Speech in November will address some of these issues.

The Victim and Prisoners' Bill reforms include victims having access to information on offenders’ progress and status, providing ministers with a veto over the release of the most dangerous criminals and adding ex-police and prison officers to the parole board.

"[Mr Chalk] said he would do everything he could to help. He said the Victims Bill in the King's Speech will recognise the work you have done," Doreen said. 

"Stephen committed an extremely violent, sexual and sadistic attack on my daughter, including rape, and inflicted 60 injuries, 31 of which were knife wounds and lacerations.

Joanne Tulip (Image: Supplied)

"The process of the attack and the things he did to Joanne's body were described in the later stages as sadomasochistic behaviour through the use of piqueristic-style multiple stab wounds. The attack couldn't get any worse."

Hairdresser Joanne met Stephen, a farm labourer, while out with friends on Christmas Eve before she was raped and stabbed at his home.

Twenty-three-year-old Ling carved crosses and swastikas on Joanne before and after death, before attempting to set fire to her body.

Stephen Ling, who murdered Joanne in 1997 (Image: Newsquest)

Ling admitted the rape, however, he never stood trial for it. The charge was allowed to lie on file by the trial judge because the murder was the greater charge.

If Ling is ever released from prison, he won't be on the sex offender's register.

"Ling is now 48 years of age, still a comparatively young man who's spent his young years in closed prison and has missed socialising with women.

"I am terrified that should he be released again, even into open prison, the first thing on his mind will be his sexual appetite to socialise with women again and I fear some poor woman will be the subject of a horrendous sexual attack just as he did with Joanne."