A convicted double murderer has been granted early release from prison, a decision that has been strongly condemned by the family of one of his victims.
Andrew McVicar, who carried out his first murder at the age of 15 by fatally slashing Tony Harrington’s throat with a broken bottle in Dunstable in 1999, was later jailed for killing Tim Smith during a burglary in Hullbridge, Essex, 19 years later.
McVicar, who was apprehended by armed police in 2017 and subsequently sentenced to 12 years in prison, has now been released on parole after serving only seven years of his sentence. Outrage grew when he flaunted his muscular physique on social media shortly after his release.
Julie Sinfield, the mother of Tony Harrington, expressed shock and dismay upon learning of McVicar’s release for the second time, stating her disbelief that he was freed despite being convicted of two life sentences.
Another source close to Tony voiced similar disdain, labeling the situation as repugnant and asserting that McVicar should never have been released again after taking two lives.
McVicar’s second victim, Tim Smith, succumbed to severe injuries after being pushed to the ground and hitting his head on a wall during a robbery where McVicar and his accomplice, Colin Garrod, targeted the victims outside a friend’s home. The pair then spent stolen cash on designer clothing.
Following a trial at Basildon Crown Court, it was revealed that McVicar embarked on a second crime spree in Livingston the day after the fatal incident in Hullbridge.
A manhunt ensued, with authorities cautioning the public against approaching McVicar due to his dangerous nature. He was eventually apprehended in a dramatic police operation at his relatives’ residence in Harthill housing estate.
McVicar, who had been residing in Basildon at the time of the crimes, was caught after his cousin disclosed his involvement in the robbery that led to Tim Smith’s death. His accomplice, Colin Garrod, received a minimum 12-year sentence, while another associate, Jamie Caborn, was handed an 18-month suspended sentence.
Judge Lodge rebuked McVicar and Garrod for callously depriving Tim Smith’s wife of attending to her critically injured husband during the robbery, emphasizing the severity of their actions.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the parole release of McVicar from his second life sentence, emphasizing that decisions to release life-sentenced individuals are made by the independent Parole Board following a comprehensive risk assessment.
A spokesperson reiterated the commitment to the victims’ families and friends, assuring that released prisoners are closely monitored and subject to probation supervision for life, with the possibility of being recalled to prison for breaching parole conditions.