Joanne’s mother, Doreen Soulsby, wrote to Mr Raab and won the support of MPs across the political spectrum, demanding that Ling remain in a closed prison. On Friday morning she received the news that she had been waiting for – that Mr Raab had decided the transfer was “unsuitable”.

She told The Telegraph: “It’s such a relief. All the effort has been really worthwhile. I have been campaigning and everyone that I have spoken to cannot believe an offender like him would be released into an open prison.”

She said the sadistic nature of the killing – he carved images including swastikas and crosses on the victim’s body – plus the rape meant he should have been given a minimum sentence of 30 years, rather than being allowed to seek parole after serving 18.

‘I would like him kept in prison for life’

“We are getting towards justice,” said Ms Soulsby. “Ideally I would like him kept in prison for life. He was only 23 when he murdered my daughter. He has had no chance to socialise or have relationships with women. I cannot believe he won’t pose a risk.”

Mr Raab took responsibility for ruling on the transfer of high-risk offenders to open prisons after serial sex offender Paul Robson, also jailed for life, absconded from one in Lincolnshire weeks after being moved from a secure jail. Decisions had previously been made by officials.