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Nation 10 Commentary | 11 Bozell's Column | 12 Cartoons | 13 Fact-O-Rama! The European Court of Human Rights ordered a review of the British law in a ruling in favor of Dennis Stafford, who was convicted of murder in the northern England city of Newcastle in 1967. Stafford was released in 1979 under the condition that he remain on probation for the rest of his life. In 1994, Stafford was convicted of check fraud and given a six-year sentence. A parole board voted to release him two years later, but that decision was overruled by then- Home Secretary Jack Straw. Stafford was eventually released four years ago, but not before bringing legal action against the British government. On Tuesday, the European court ruled that British authorities illegally detained Stafford under the pretence that he was likely to commit further acts of fraud or non-violent offenses. Decisions on whether or not to free a prisoner should be made by legal officials rather than by politicians, the court ruled. Stafford was awarded about $40,000 in damages and legal costs. Current Home Secretary David Blunkett said Tuesday that the ruling would not prevent him from keeping murderers sentenced to life in prison locked up. Victims' advocates Victim advocacy groups were outraged by the court's decision. Brennan also took issue with the amount of compensation awarded to Stafford. The case could give new hope of freedom to up to 1,300 convicted criminals, including Myra Hindley - one of Britain's most notorious murderers. Hindley and her lover Ian Brady were given life sentences in 1966 for the murder of three children. Hindley's health has deteriorated in recent years, but successive British justice ministers have refused to release her from prison. Edward Fitzgerald, the lawyer who represented Stafford in front of the European Court, also represents Hindley. The latest versions are available from the respective companies web sites.
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