Inquiry likely into killer's early release

An inquiry is expected to be ordered into the early release and supervision of the robber who murdered the financier John Monckton.

Damien Hanson, 24, had been let out of jail on licence despite an official assessment calculating that his chances of committing another violent offence were 91 per cent.

He was only just over halfway through a 12-year sentence for attempted murder, yet his supervision was managed at the lowest risk level for a violent offender.

Just three months after his release, Hanson murdered Mr Monckton during a violent robbery at his home in Chelsea, west London, and almost killed his wife, Homeyra.

Hanson, of no fixed address, was convicted of murder, attempted murder and robbery by the Old Bailey jury on Thursday.

His accomplice Elliot White, 24, of Shepherd's Bush, was convicted yesterday of the manslaughter of Mr Monckton, but acquitted of his murder. The jury has not yet reached a verdict on the charge of the attempted murder of Mrs Monckton. White had already pleaded guilty to robbery.

Harry Fletcher, from the probation union Napo, called for an immediate investigation into why Hanson had been free to kill.

"There must be an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this murder, including the reasons for parole decisions and all supervision plans.

"Any findings should be acted upon without delay to minimise the possibility of any further tragedies occurring and to maximise public protection."