CONVICTED killer Yvonne Sleightholme has been told she must remain behind bars despite the length of time she has served,

The Parole Board has refused to reconsider its decision to block even a transfer to an open jail - even though she has already served 12 years, two years longer than recommended by the judge at her trial.

Sleightholme was jailed in 1991 for shooting farmer's wife Jayne Smith at Broats Farm, Salton, near Malton, North Yorkshire, and went blind while awaiting trial.

The jury had been told she lay in wait and shot Mrs Smith, who was married to her one-time fiancee, at point-blank range in the back of the head. Sleightholme denied the murder and has continued to do so ever since.

Ryedale's Tory MP John Greenway believes Sleight-holme is being penalised because she has always refused to admit her guilt.

Mr Greenway, a former policeman, said she had committed no offence before her conviction and her behaviour in prison had been exemplary.