Shropshire woman's mixed emotions over killer father's death

Faye Howlett, from Tilstock, near Whitchurch, revealed her father, Kevin Roberts, died suddenly on Sunday morning after contracting lung cancer.

He was 54.

Ms Howlett had launched a petition to keep her father locked up in a hospital in Birmingham after he beat his 73-year-old mother, Vera, to death with a metal poker and hammer in 2005.

In court the schizophrenic admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Ms Howlett launched her petition earlier this year after she discovered Roberts had been allowed to go shopping in Birmingham and visit her grandmother's grave. She believed her father could kill again and said she feared for herself and her family as well as people living in Whitchurch, where Mr Roberts was from.

Today, the mother-of-one said she has mixed emotions now her father is dead but confirmed she will plan his funeral.

Ms Howlett said: "It's very difficult to describe how I am feeling. It's mixed emotions. I no longer have to live in fear, I don't have to be frightened, but then it is my dad that has died. A police officer came to my house to tell me he went into hospital in February and tests showed he had lung cancer which spread to his spine.

"He then died in the early hours of Sunday morning. I'm still in shock and I can't quite believe it but I am relieved. It's more relief that sadness which does sound terrible."

Mr Robert's death came as support for Ms Howlett's campaign continues to grow.

About 2,000 people have signed an online petition with a further 1,500 signing forms which have been placed in pubs and shops throughout Whitchurch.

Meanwhile 7,000 people have joined a Facebook page called Keep This Man Off The Streets.

Ms Howlett said: "Now I can get on with my life, I can put it all to bed."