A SENIOR probation chief has attempted to allay fears over the release into the community of a former policeman who killed his wife.

Elaine Lumley, chief officer with the National Probation Service on Teesside, also admitted that it was “not ideal”

for the family of Graham “Ivor” Jones’ victim to learn on Christmas Eve of his early release from jail.

Mrs Lumley’s comments followed fresh criticism of the authorities by Ron Phillips, the father of Maria Jones, who was stabbed to death by Jones at the home they shared in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, on December 2004.

Mr Phillips claimed an error with the drawing up of socalled exclusion zones, which determine which areas Jones cannot enter under the terms of his licence, meant he could visit the home of Maria Jones’ brother, Tony Phillips, who lives in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.

Under his licence conditions, Jones, a former police constable with the Cleveland force, is not allowed to approach or communicate with Ron Phillips and his wife, June, or Tony Phillips.

He also cannot enter the “geographical area” of Teesside or Burton upon Trent, unless specifically approved, with the restrictions running for up to a year.

Jones, who stabbed his wife 96 times after he was taunted over an affair she was having, was jailed for eight years in June 2005 after admitting manslaughter.

Mr Phillips, from Hemlington, Middlesbrough, said: “The map we have been given quite clearly shows that he could go there and they have even screwed up on that.

“It allows him to sing Christmas carols outside Tony’s house if he wants.

“The whole thing stinks from day one.”

Mr Phillips said he had been told that Jones had been released on December 29 – four months before he was due for automatic parole – since the authorities did not want to lose hostel accommodation that had been made available for him.

He also said he had subsequently received an apology from the probation service about the timing of the announcement.

Mrs Lumley said: “We do consult with victims and their families about licensing conditions and seek to reflect their views.

“I cannot comment on the specific licensing conditions in this case, however there will be ongoing dialogue where it is required.

“Victims and their families quite properly have concerns about their safety and they are anxious that they don’t want to bump into an offender on licence who may have killed their son or daughter.

“We build-in licensing conditions as well as we can in order to make sure that they meet their needs.”

Mrs Lumley confirmed that she had written to the Phillips to explain the reasons for the timing of the announcement and had visited them. She said that accommodation was not a factor in Jones’ early release.

She said: “We were aware Mr Jones was due to be released imminently and, as soon as we had that information, we had a responsibility to let Mr and Mrs Phillips know.

“We have done everything we can and we have a statutory obligation to make sure we keep people informed and seek their views, but I do recognise that sometimes we have to give them information they would rather not get.”