THE Government last night sought to allay fears that a human rights victory by a notorious North-East criminal could open the floodgates for murderers given life to seek early release.

Dennis Stafford was jailed for the 1967 killing of fruit machine collector Angus Sibbett, which later inspired the classic Michael Caine gangster movie Get Carter.

He yesterday won his legal battle to prove that former Home Secretary Jack Straw breached his human rights by keeping him in jail longer than recommended by the Parole Board.

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights said the power of a Government minister to overrule the board was used illegally and awarded him almost £28,000 in costs and damages.

The ruling could now encourage the likes of Moors killer Myra Hindley in their legal battle to strip the Home Secretary of his powers to decide how long serious criminals should remain in jail.

Last night, Home Secretary David Blunkett said he would fight any such attempts by offenders given a "whole life" tariff when "life means life".

But the defeat opens the way for 1,300 convicted murderers, whose recommended tariffs have expired, to have their sentences reviewed by the Parole Board.

The board's decision will be final and, following the Stafford ruling, the Home Secretary will have no right to veto its verdict.

Mr Blunkett said he was disappointed with the judgement, but added: "It does not directly affect the status of adult murderers whose tariffs have not expired, including those on whole life tariffs.

"These murderers are not referred to the Parole Board. Any review of these cases is a matter for me.

"But I am concerned that this judgement may serve as encouragement for those who would like to remove the Home Secretary's powers to set tariffs for adult murderers."

Stafford, 69, who lives in Weardale, County Durham, said it was "total nonsense" it would be beneficial for some of the country's worst murderers.

It would stop politicians "interfering on a whim" with the judicial system, he said.

After being jailed for life for murder, he was released on licence in 1979.

In 1994, he was convicted of cheque fraud and given a six-year jail term with his "life licence" being revoked by the then Home Secretary, Michael Howard.

The Parole Board recommended his release in 1997, but Home Secretary of the day Jack Straw rejected the recommendation and he was not released on licence until a year later.

He claimed his detention beyond 1997 was "arbitrary" and that he was kept inside, not on the basis of his potential for violence, but because he might commit another offence of dishonesty.