A CONVICTED killer who has maintained his innocence during 13 years behind bars for the murder of a businessman will soon be a free man.

After a successful appearance before a parole board, Peter Haggerty, 46, has been moved from category B Garth Prison in Preston to a category D jail near Blackpool.

But the transfer to Kirkham Open Prison is an unusual first step in the release of Haggerty, who has always denied killing John Sewell in Billingham, Teesside, in June 1991.

Because of his stance he has refused to take any of the rehabilitation courses designed to allow prisoners the chance to face up to their crimes and open the way for their release.

His sister, Margaret Caizley, 52, of Jarrow, South Tyneside, expressed her joy at the move.

If all goes to plan her brother will be a free man before the end of next year.

Haggerty will soon be allowed to work in the community and within seven months should be granted home leave.

Mrs Caizley said: "He is just thrilled to bits.

"He says the new open prison is like a holiday camp compared to what he has been used to in the past. The food is better and the conditions are much better."

Haggerty's release could come much earlier if the Criminal Case Review Commission sends his case back to the Appeal Court.

He was jailed for life for battering the 61-year-old shopkeeper with a crowbar and slashing his throat with a knife.

But he has always maintained that his conviction was based on mistaken identity and that he was at his sister's Jarrow home at the time of the murder.