Crown prosecutors may challenge the controversial sentence of probation for York killer Tony O'Connell.

Tony O'Connell: to be placed on probation for manslaughter

O'Connell, a partially-sighted diabetic epileptic, of Bouthwaite Drive, Acomb, battered Krystyna Walton, 48, to death with his bare hands.

Seventeen bite marks were found on her body, some of which had been inflicted after death.

But Mr Justice Hooper, sitting at Newcastle Crown Court last week, said he believed O'Connell had suffered enough and that he would make a three-year probation order on May 28. O'Connell had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The judge said O'Connell, who had been held in custody since last September, had suffered more than other prisoners because of his disabilities.

Today, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it had the power to appeal against sentences it thinks unduly lenient, and that it was considering a challenge.

Ryedale MP John Greenway, Tory shadow spokesman on home affairs, welcomed the news. He said the safety of the public should be paramount and men who attack women should be dealt with severely.

"While the disabilities this man suffers may suggest that probation might be a suitable sentence, the fact remains that he is someone who has committed a crime of great violence," said Mr Greenway.

"I would question whether the amount of supervision he will get under a probation order would be enough to ensure the public are protected.

"Another issue raised by this case is how the courts deal with domestic violence. The police and the government are trying very hard to encourage victims of domestic violence to come forward and give evidence about attacks."

He added: "While these two people were not living together, they were known to each other and had some form of a relationship.

"Seeing a man receive probation for such a crime of violence will not encourage other women to think it is worth speaking to the police and going to court.''

York's Labour MP, Hugh Bayley, said: "My sympathies are with Mrs Walton's family and friends.

"They will never believe that justice has been done with a sentence like this.

"I have spoken to the Attorney General about the case. He confirms that the CPS has 28 days to decide whether to appeal to him, and, if they do so, he will decide whether the case is referred to the court of appeal.

"Sentences should be set by judges not politicians, but it is right to review lenient sentences."

Michelle Clayton, who lived next door to Mrs Walton, said: "Her death means her family have received a life sentence so no-one around here can understand why her killer only got probation.''

Dave Smith, of Dave's Chippy Acomb, said: "Most of the people who come in here have said he should have got much longer."

see COMMENT 'Sentence must be challenged'

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