A CAMPAIGN to halt the early release of two youths who attempted to murder their 13-year-old friend has been launched by their victim's mother.

Ashley Murray was stabbed 18 times and left for dead in Harrogate nearly three years ago.

But the parole board could decide to release his attackers, Robert Fuller and Daniel Gill, now both 17, as early as January next year - despite their being sentenced to serve six years in October 1999.

Ashley's mother Jo has already written to Home Secretary David Blunkett and Harrogate MP Phil Willis asking them to oppose early release.

Now she has launched a petition.

She said: "I'm asking anyone and everyone to sign it to say these two should not be released.

"We are not unrealistic, but surely two years is too soon for Gill and Fuller to be reformed characters. They were capable of this horrendous attack, capable of cover-up, capable of leaving Ashley in a bin bag for 40 hours, believing that they had murdered him.

"One of the few things we can now do is to register as much public support as possible."

Fuller's mother Vanessa earlier this month told the Evening Press exclusively that she believed her son should be released, and that he wanted to return to Harrogate.

She said today: "I can understand what Mrs Murray is saying, but her family is not the only one that's hurting.

"I know she's angry, but Robert's served his time and he should be able to get on with his life.

"Everyone has a right to their opinion, but the parole board should be left alone to do their job. Nobody should be allowed to interfere with their decision making."

Copies of the petition have been circulated around friends and family members of the Murrays, and anybody who has expressed support.

Ashley, now 16, is still fighting to recover from his injuries.

Updated: 08:11 Friday, November 23, 2001