THE mother of a teenager, stabbed and left for dead at a remote beauty spot, says hundreds of people have signed a petition launched to block the release of her son's attackers.

Joanne Murray began distributing copies of the petition at the weekend, targeting friends and family, as well as the workplaces of professional colleagues.

At least 50 forms have been returned, each signed by as many as 30 people supporting her campaign.

Ashley Murray was 14 when he was attacked by two boys he thought were his friends. All three had spent a January afternoon three years ago watching the horror film Scream, before walking to woods near their homes on the edge of Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

A trial at Hull Crown Court, in 1999, heard how Daniel Gill and Robert Fuller turned on Ashley, stabbing him 18 times - 11 in the head.

Believing he was dead, they wrapped him in a bin liner they had brought with them, before going home. Later they told police the last they had seen of him was when he had stormed off after a row over a game of football.

Gill and Fuller were convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to six years in young offenders' institutions.

Even though the judge described them as "a menace to society", it emerged earlier this month that both could be out on parole as early as January.

Mrs Murray, whose son still has difficulty controlling his left side, has been bombarding Home Secretary David Blunkett with letters, urging him to intervene. She has yet to receive a reply.

She says the response to her petition has given her renewed strength, and a belief that she is fighting a just cause.

"Tony Blair speaks a lot about improving the lot of the victim," she said. "Ashley is still a victim today and I cannot see how freeing these two will make anything any better for him."

Fuller's mother, Vanessa, says her family are also hurting and her son should be given a chance.

"Robert's served his time and should be able to get on with his life," she said. "Everyone has a right to their opinion, but the parole board should be left to do its job.