A NORTH-EAST man responsible for the “ferocious” murder of a disabled 62-year-old was released from prison two weeks before the attack – despite police protests, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Ricky Gelardo was bailed at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court to an address in Scarborough while awaiting charges related to domestic abuse.

Two weeks later, he assaulted wheelchair-bound alcoholic Alan Atkin, leaving him to die from severe brain, chest and abdominal injuries.

Gelardo, a 29-year-old roofer and paver, formerly of Corporation Road, Darlington, was yesterday found guilty of murder in a unanimous decision by a jury at Leeds Crown Court.

He received a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars.

Following the end of the trial, it emerged that efforts had been made to keep Gelardo inside prison shortly before he was granted bail.

He had been facing two harassment charges relating to an incident of domestic abuse in Darlington and was briefly held in Holme House prison, near Stockton, until his bail hearing.

It is understood that the Crown Prosecution Service opposed bail at the hearing – but the concerns were overruled.

Sergeant Carl Moss, of Darlington police, was involved in the domestic abuse inquiry into Gelardo in March.

He said: “I do believe we had sound grounds for him being refused bail. However, we have to accept the court’s decision.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The decision on whether or not to grant a bail application is quite rightly a matter for the independent judiciary, which is best placed to weigh up all the relevant factors.”

Mr Atkin was found dead on April 21, five days after Gelardo beat him to death following a drinking session in Scarborough town centre.

Judge Peter Collier, Recorder of Leeds, said Mr Atkin had been punched, probably stamped on, and possibly hit with a 3kg statue of Buddha.

“Whatever triggered it, the violence you unleashed on Alan Atkin was ferocious and sustained,” he said.“He was disabled and could not resist or fight back.”

Gelardo’s palm print was found in Mr Atkin’s blood, and his trainer prints were also found at the scene.

Franz Muller, for the defence, said the sentence would have a dramatic impact on Gelardo, particularly in respect of his role in his twoyear- old son’s life.

He said: “He will play no active part at all in the whole of the boy’s young life, which will be of the greatest burden to him.”

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Carey said he was satisfied with the outcome.

“Gelardo had only been living in Scarborough little more than a week,” he said.

“We didn’t know of his existence until we found the bloody palm print.”

Following the trial, Lana and Karl Atkin, Mr Atkin’s children, issued a statement which said: “We are very happy and relieved that our father’s killer has been brought to justice.

“The way his life was taken away was horrific. We just hope he can now rest in peace.”

They thanked North Yorkshire Police and the prosecution team for securing the conviction.