Sarah Davey, one of Britain’s most infamous criminals, has been released from prison 25 years after being involved in the murder of 71-year-old Lily Lilley. Davey was just 14 when she and a friend committed the heinous crime in Failsworth, Greater Manchester.
The couple had befriended the reclusive grandmother at her terraced house, where she had invited them for a cup of tea. What followed was a brutal attack that shocked the nation. During her stay at Lilley’s home, Davey and her accomplice escalated their cruel treatment of her elderly woman by taunting her, spraying her with shampoo, and cutting her legs with a knife.
Their torment of Lilley culminated in her death, after which they disposed of her body in a particularly gruesome manner: they strangled her with a gag so tight that it forced her dentures down her throat, dumped her body in a container with wheels, paraded it through the streets, and finally discarded it in a canal. Additionally, they ransacked her home, made numerous calls from her phone, and used her pension money to buy snacks.
The murder, described by the presiding judge at the time as “unspeakably evil,” resulted in Davey’s indefinite incarceration beginning in 1999. However, his incarceration was marked by multiple violations of his release conditions. Despite being released and recalled to prison seven times since 2013, Davey was released once again on March 23, according to the daily mail.
This latest release has reignited public outrage, with photos circulating of Davey wearing makeup and fashionable clothes in prison, and reports of her enjoying nights out and shopping trips during previous periods of freedom. Nigel Mills, a Conservative MP, expressed the frustration and disbelief felt by many, calling the crime “truly evil” and the decision to free Davey “shameful” and a mockery of justice.
In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said that Davey would be under close supervision for the rest of her life, subject to strict conditions and at risk of being recalled to prison if she violates those terms. The Parole Board also defended her decision, explaining that parole decisions are based on an assessment of the risk the prisoner poses to the public and whether this risk can be managed outside of prison.
The Board noted that its review process is thorough and meticulous, involving a thorough examination of the original crime, behavioral changes, the impact on victims, and testimony from professionals such as probation officers, psychiatrists, and psychologists. The parole review, which can last a full day or more, includes detailed questioning of the prisoner and witnesses to ensure public safety remains the top priority. Despite these assurances, the decision to release Davey has caused deep upset among the public and the victim’s family, highlighting the ongoing debate over how justice is administered for the most serious crimes.