Double killer Peter Newbery’s move back to the island’s jail is temporary and he is not being prepared for eventual release, the Home Affairs Minister insists.
Reports surfaced on social media this week that Newbury, jailed for life in 2004 for the murder of two teenagers in a care home, is now back in the island after being transferred from a UK jail.
It was suggested that he might be being prepared for release under licence - a suggestion that prompted understandable concern from relatives of Newbery’s victims.
But Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey said that prisoners serving life sentences in a UK prison are entitled to apply for a temporary return to the island so they can have visits from their family.
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In a statement, he said: ’As a life sentenced prisoner his eventual release will be decided by the Ministry of Justice.
’Along with other Isle of Man prisoners serving life sentences in the UK he is eligible to apply to return to the Isle of Man for accumulated visits. During these restricted periods of time the prisoner is able to receive visits from their family.’
Peter Charles Newbery was sentenced to life imprisonment on February 20, 2004, after being found guilty following a six-week trial of the murder of 16-year-olds Samantha Barton and George Green at the Leece Lodge care home in Braddan, in 2002.
He was ordered by the Deemster to serve a minimum of 20 years before parole can be considered.
In March 2009, in line with the Manx prison service policy for prisoners serving life terms, he was transferred to the England and Wales Prison Service where he is serving his sentence.
The murders prompted a Commission of Inquiry into the care of young people in the island. Inquiry chairman Mark Everall QC’s report identified failings in care.