A KILLER who murdered three young children at their Worcester home before hanging their mutilated bodies on the fence outside could walk free from prison in a ruling from the Parole Board.
‘Monster of Worcester’ David McGreavy could be freed after parole chiefs found the killer had changed ‘considerably’ over his 45 years behind bars since he was jailed for life in 1973 for the horrific murders.
McGreavy murdered four-year-old Paul Ralph and the boy’s sisters Dawn, two, and nine-month-old Samantha in their home on Gillam Street on April 13,1973.
Paul had been strangled, Dawn was found with her throat cut and Samantha died from a compound fracture to the skull.
McGreavy, who was a family friend and lodger, then impaled their bodies on the spiked garden railings and later claimed he carried out the murders because Samantha would not stop crying.
When he appeared in court in June, McGreavy pleaded guilty to the murders of all three children. The hearing lasted only eight minutes because McGreavy pleaded guilty and there was no defence plea, no motive and no case of diminished responsibility.
Dubbed ‘the Monster of Worcester’ Southport-born McGreavy moved in with former school friend Clive Ralph and his pregnant wife Elsie in their Rainbow Hill house.
Clive lived with his pregnant wife Elsie. The couple already had two children, three-year-old Paul and 20-month-old Dawn and they lived not far from where David’s parents lived.
McGreavy’s arrival meant that when in September 1972, Elsie gave birth to Samantha, there were six people living in just one, small, two-bedroom house.
He would act as an extra pair of hands, helping out with childcare and paid six pounds a week towards the rent and even cooked the occasional meal on a Sunday. This continued for two years until Friday, April 13 when McGreavy committed the brutal murders.
After being jailed for life in 1973, McGreavy made his first bid for freedom in April 2007 which was rejected and the killer was even granted a banning order in April 2009 banning the press from naming him. This was later overturned by The Sun
McGreavy made his last bid to be released in 2016 which was rejected. Worcester’s MP Robin Walker wrote to the then Justice Secretary Michael Gove outlining his concerns about his potential release.
The murderer was informed he could apply again in two years leading to the verdict from the Parole Board this week.
A Parole Board spokeperson said: “We can confirm a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of David McGreavy following an oral hearing.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release. The panel will have carefully looked at a whole range of evidence, including details of the original evidence and any evidence of behaviour change.
“We do that with great care and public safety is our number one priority.”
EDITOR’S COMMENT
SOMETIMES in life, time is a great healer.
But tell Elsie Urry that and she’ll rightfully point to the events on Friday, April 13 1973 when her three young children were butchered by David McGreavy.
Three innocent lives were taken in the most horrific fashion. Three young lives including that of a baby who was murdered simply for crying out in need.
Elsie and her former husband have lived a nightmare for 45 years, their children’s deaths will forvever be part of Worcester’s past and will continue to horrify and disgust.
Which is why this Parole Board decision is simply wrong, how can anyone justify this man’s release? I don’t care if he’s a saint behind bars, this man is a butcher.
The punishment must fit the crime. He should never be freed.
