THE mother of a boy stabbed 18 times by two schoolboy friends after they watched a violent horror film has reacted with disbelief that one of them may shortly be released on parole.

Yesterday victim 16-year-old Ashley Murray and his mother Joanne said their Christmas had been shattered by the news - particularly after the family found out last week that the other boy had been refused parole.

The then schoolboys repeatedly stabbed Ashley after watching the 18-certificate film Scream, which features a series of brutal stabbings.

The youngster, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, had a big toe amputated for frostbite after surviving in the open for 40 hours.

He underwent surgery on his left foot, has a splint in his left ankle and still suffers from some paralysis in his left side.

His life was saved after being discovered by a dog walker. Ashley had been left for dead by Robert Fuller and Daniel Gill at Birk Crag, near Harlow Carr Gardens, Harrogate, three years ago.

Fuller and Gill, then aged 15 and 14, were both convicted of attempted murder in October 1999 and sentenced to be detained for six years.

Mrs Murray said news has been passed to her that Daniel Gill is to be released on parole, possibly within weeks.

A distraught Mrs Murray said: "We are absolutely gutted by this news, particularly after hearing that Fuller would not be released.

"We are just shattered by this. At the end of the day Gill will be walking free."

Mrs Murray has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett asking him not to release the pair early. She is still awaiting a reply.

The family has collected more than 2,000 names on a petition calling on the Government not to release offenders until they have served at least two thirds of their sentences.

Trial judge Arthur Myerson said if the pair had been adults he would have sentenced them to ten years because he regarded them as a risk to the public.

In a statement, Peter Foulsham, North Yorkshire's Youth Offending Team manager, said the Parole Board, in making its decision, would have taken into account many factors. Professional reports prepared for the board would also focus on the risk which may be posed to the public.