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The woman lawyer who wants to FREE the Yorkshire Ripper...because 'his human rights have been breached'
Last updated at 08:52am on 16.05.08
Saimo Chahal: Believes the serial killer, now 61, has been misrepresented
Peter Sutcliffe, who butchered 13 women and tried to kill seven more between 1975 and 1980, believes he is sane and should be released from Broadmoor top security hospital.
He is being represented by a female lawyer, who argues that the Home Office disregarded his human rights because it failed to fix a tariff for his sentence.
Saimo Chahal believes the serial killer, now 61, who smashed his victims over the head before mutilating them, has been misrepresented.
When Sutcliffe was sentenced to 20 life sentences in 1981, he was told by the judge that he would serve a minimum of 30 years. Home Secretaries have subsequently said he should never be released.
But Miss Chahal, who specialises in civil liberties and social welfare as a partner at London-based Bindmans & Partners, believes this tariff was never formalised.
Sutcliffe began his sentence at Parkhurst prison on the Isle of Wight but three years later was diagnosed with schizophrenia and transferred to Broadmoor Hospital.
Freedom bid: Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, is challenging his sentence
Miss Chahal intends to argue Sutcliffe's case in stages.
First she aims to get him back into the prison system and has requested a reassessment of his psychiatric condition.
A profile of Miss Chahal on the firm's website confirms that she acts for Sutcliffe adding: "The Secretary of State is in breach of Article Five of the [European Court of Human Rights] in failing to set a tariff."
Miss Chahal was named Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in a 2006 poll for "repeatedly pushing the boundaries of the law on behalf of those with mental illness".
According to a report on legal website the Black Lawyers Directory, Sutcliffe's case was referred to Miss Chahal by another solicitor because she "takes on difficult cases".
The report said: "For Saimo this case raises the issue of how we treat mentally ill people who have committed heinous crimes.
"She is concerned that there is a huge amount of public information about this case that is simply untrue."
Sources said she is confident of securing Sutcliffe's release by 2011.
Olive Smelt, who survived Sutcliffe attacking her with a hammer as she returned to her Halifax home after a night out in 1975, declined to comment.
But her husband Harry said: "He didn't give the victims many human rights did he?
"I'm too old to be appalled. I just find it irritating.
"It is water off a duck's back as far as Olive is concerned.
"When you reach a certain age all that matters is waking up in the morning, putting your feet on the floor and getting on with it."
He added: "He's where he belongs and that's it.
"I don't think he should be locked up in Broadmoor, it should be a normal prison."
Sutcliffe mainly killed prostitutes in the streets of northern England.
While he was at liberty many women in Yorkshire and Manchester were too frightened to go out.
After six years he was arrested by chance in a red light area of Sheffield.
In 2001, Sutcliffe claimed that psychiatrists at Broadmoor now consider he is no longer a danger.
The Legal Services Commission said Sutcliffe had not been awarded legal aid to pay for his freedom bid.
A senior police source said: "His legal action will be fiercely opposed by the authorities.
"He remains a grave danger to the public, especially if he does not take appropriate medication.
"He should remain behind bars for the rest of his life."
Reader views (21)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
As long as he can live with her on a island once he is out, I'm OK with letting him out then for once in his life he may do some good!
- Mark A. Lack, Calgary Canada
I' sick of hearing about 'human rights' for murdering low-lifes. What human right did they afford their victims and their families? He's robbed them of their future their loved ones. He should be locked up for life - or better still put out of his misery. Equally Chalal should find herself more deserving cases requiring legal aid - unfortunately that wont happen.
- Barbara, Sydney, Australia
Austen's post is the only one here that is even slightly reasonable. The government can stop this now by setting a tarrif, and Ms Chahal, as an Officer of the Court, is obliged to represent Sutcliffe to the best of her ability, regardless of whether she wants to take the case or not. She is not a 'do gooder'; she is a professional.
- Abc, London, UK
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