Shropshire killer's family living in fear as he gets day release
A schizophrenic from Shropshire who bludgeoned his mother to death could kill again, his family claimed today after it emerged he is being allowed unsupervised leave from a Midlands mental health clinic.
Kevin Roberts, from Whitchurch, was detained indefinitely after he killed his mother Vera with a metal poker in 2005. He had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Now his family say they are living in fear after it was revealed that he is being allowed out of the Reaside Clinic in Birmingham for short periods.
His daughter Fay Howlett said she was living in fear since finding out over Christmas.
She said: "I am absolutely terrified, and so is my auntie and mum. My little girl is wondering what is going on. I can't sleep." She claims the family wasn't told he was now being released for short periods and is convinced he will hurt someone else.
She added: "I am scared he will kill me, or my daughter, or my mum. I know that that man will kill again. He has been in and out of prison all his life and in other mental hospitals. I am constantly watching for him."
In a statement Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust said: "The role of mental health services includes working to support patients in their rehabilitation. In the case of any restricted patients, this process involves a full risk assessment before the patient is allowed to leave the premises."
When Roberts, who is in his 50s, was convicted, a judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court ruled he should never be released without the consent of the Home Secretary.
