Mum shares agony with LBC as daughter's killer faces parole

15 February 2022, 17:05

Doreen Soulsby speaks to Shelagh Fogarty about Ling parole hearing

By Seán Hickey

The mother of Joanne Tulip, who was murdered in 1997, says she is terrified that her daughter's murderer will end up in an open prison.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Doreen Soulsby is mother of Joanne Tulip, whose murderer Steven Ling is being considered for parole this week. She phoned Shelagh Fogarty during a conversation on open prisons, after sex offender Paul Robson escaped from one this week.

Mr Ling murdered Ms Tulip on Christmas Day 1997. Reports from the time state Ms Tulip was stabbed 60 times, with Mrs Soulsby telling LBC that he also carved her daughter's body before and after murdering her, and attempted to set her alight.

Mrs Soulsby told Shelagh that because the Court believed it would be easier to convict Mr Ling of murder, accusations of rape against him weren't considered – despite him admitting to rape. In a cruel twist, this also meant that Mr Ling was never placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Mrs Soulsby shared her fear for the safety of the public at large if Mr Ling gets a favourable decision at his parole hearing.

Read more: Mina Smallman speaks to James O'Brien | Watch again

"What's the first thing he's gonna do when he gets into open prison?" She wondered, reminding listeners of the escape of Mr Robson from the same environment.

"I'm terrified this time that he'll get into open prison, but i've been told to expect a phone call by the end of the week."

Ex-Met Superintendent's insightful response on youth murders

Read more: 'I almost cried': Woman held at Sarah Everard vigil tells of relief after Cressida quit

Mrs Soulsby added that she didn't believe a parole hearing could reasonably find Mr Ling to be near reformed: "I don't know how you can assess a guy who thinks like that."

She added that there needs to be "greater transparency" in the justice system going forward, telling Shelagh that she hasn't heard anything about her daughter's murderer since he went to prison.

"If you could read from trusted people that this was a changed mind, would that assure you in any way?" Shelagh asked.

"I don't trust the people who make these decisions" Mrs Soulsby replied, revealing she has protested the gender makeup of previous parole boards, where there had not been a single woman in the past.

More Shelagh Fogarty News

See more More Shelagh Fogarty News

The Princess of Wales says she edited the photograph that was released to mark Mother's Day.

The insistence that we see Kate is tantamount to stalking, writes Shelagh Fogarty

Caller tells Shelagh his solution to illegal immigration.

LBC caller tells Shelagh Fogarty that the Channel islands are the answer to 'illegal immigration'

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' immigration policies

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self-interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' migration policies

Shelagh Fogarty

Former Treasury official outlines 'three immediate priorities' likely to be reflected in Autumn Statement

Shelagh Fogarty

Suella Braverman's hardline crime bill seems like she's ‘interviewing' for career at ‘pathetic’ news channels, says caller

Shelagh and caller Sam

Anti-Semitic chants and actions 'delegitimize' pro-Palestinian cause asserts this Shelagh Fogarty caller

Shelagh and Ricardo Dos Santos

'It's sickening': Ricardo Dos Santos speaks to Shelagh Fogarty as two officers sacked over stop and search

Shelagh

Rishi Sunak has 'failed monumentally' to 'humanise' both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict says Israel expert

Shelagh and Callum

Twitter is a 'particularly dangerous' place to get information now says the Centre for Countering Digital Hate

Shelagh and caller Simon

LBC caller details 'disgusting anti-Semitic' act he witnessed, as hate crimes rise in fall out of Israel-Hamas war

Sister of missing Israeli woman

'We hope she's hiding somewhere': Sister of missing Israeli festival goer fears she is being held hostage by Hamas

Distraught caller on Israel-Gaza conflict.

'This is a war against Hamas!': Distraught caller wants Israel and Palestine to take down the 'enemy' together

Shelagh and Alicia Kearns

Head of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee expresses concern over Israeli 'siege of Gaza'

Shelagh Fogarty caller on facial recognition.

This caller lacks 'trust' in the government's handling of the AI facial recognition debate

Shelagh condemns PM's comments on 'dignity' of the elderly.

'He painted a picture of a Britain that the Conservatives meant to build...': Shelagh Fogarty condemns PM's suggestion that elderly have 'dignity'

Shelagh Fogarty on Jenrick

'We're full aren't we?': Shelagh questions Robert Jenrick's motive behind encouraging Brits to increase birth rate