A MAN who killed eight people in a petrol-bomb attack in Huddersfield has been freed from prison.

And the decision to release mass killer Nazar Hussain just half-way through his 18-year sentence has been condemned.

Survivors of the terrible attack on a house in Osborne Road, Birkby, said the decision had been taken despite their vehement objections being lodged with the Parole Board.

Mohammed Shafiq, who escaped the inferno, which swept through his home, said: “We cannot believe this man is free.

“He should never have been released.”

And Mehboob Khan, one of the local councillors who has played a key role in helping the community recover from the murders said: “This is wrong on so many counts.

“The family who saw their loved ones die have been given a sentence for life, yet this man is out and free.”

Hussain, of Dryclough Road, Crosland Moor, was convicted of eight counts of manslaughter in 2003 and jailed for 18 years.

He has now been released on licence after a Parole Board review.

Sentenced alongside Hussain after their trial were Shaied Iqbal, of Springdale Road, Thornton Lodge, and Shakiel Amir Shazad, of Gledholt Road, Huddersfield.

Iqbal was the instigator of the attack and was jailed for life after he was convicted of eight murder counts and pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit arson.

Shazad was jailed for 18 years after he was convicted of eight manslaughter counts and conspiracy to commit arson. He was also convicted of arson with intent to endanger life.

A fourth suspect, Shahid Mohammed, fled during the early stages of the inquiry and is still a fugitive.

Hussain – who lost an appeal against his sentence – was one of a gang which petrol-bombed the Chishti family’s home at Osborne Road while the occupants slept in the early hours of May 12, 2002.

Petrol was poured through the living room window, triggering a blaze which cost the lives of a mother, two of her children and her five grand-daughters.

Hussain was not involved in throwing the petrol bombs, but was present at the scene and had obtained petrol for the devices.

The 33-year-old appealed on grounds that the overall sentence was four years too long.

But Lord Justice Rose said Hussain’s crimes were “manslaughter in horrific circumstances, involving the death of eight victims”.

Those killed in the fire included Nafeesa Aziz, 35, who perished with her five young daughters: Tayyaba Batool, 13; Rabiah Batool, 10; Ateeqa Nawaz, six; Aneesa Nawaz, two, and Najeeba Nawaz, six months.

Nafeesa’s brother, Mohammed Ateeq-ur-Rehman, 18, also died in the flames. Their mother, Zaib-u-Nisa, 54, died later in hospital after leaping from a window. Three other occupants were able to escape the conflagration.

Mr Shafiq said: “We cannot believe that this man is free.

“He is on licence but he is still out of prison after only nine years.

“This has caused great anger and upset for my family and for our friends.”

Clr Khan said: “The way the Parole Board has made this decision is so wrong.

“Nazar Hussain was clearly part of the gang and should have stayed in prison for a long time.

“Eight lives were lost and this is the most horrific mass murder ever in Huddersfield. It happened only a decade ago and it remains a truly horrific story.

“I have asked Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman to raise this with the relevant minister to see how this decision was made.

“What is also worrying is that Hussain can presumably be in touch with the fugitive, Shahid Mohammed, who has never been brought to justice.”

Kathy Loney, head of Kirklees Probation, said they were unable to comment on specific cases.

But she said: “Some offenders sentenced before the Criminal Justice Act 2003 become eligible for parole half way through their sentence.

“At this point they can apply for release on licence and their application is heard by a Parole Board.

“The Parole Board will seek reports from organisations including probation, prison and others organisations and individuals including the victim or victim’s family.

“Ultimately the Parole Board will make a decision about the application and release.

“Any prisoner sentenced to more than 12 months is released from prison on licence and those who have committed serious crimes which require management by more than one agency, are subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements.

“Prior to release careful consideration is given to all licence conditions which can include exclusion zones and non-contact conditions.

“Under MAPPA, organisations including probation, police, housing, social services and other appropriate agencies meet regularly to effectively manage the risk of offenders in the community.”

How parole is decided for prisoners

THE Parole Board will not comment on individual cases.

But there are strict guidelines about when a prisoner is eligible for parole.

A Parole Board reviews a case if the prisoner has an indeterminate sentence, a determinate sentence of more than four years given for a serious violent or sexual crime committed before April 4, 2005, or has been recalled to prison for committing another crime or breaking the licence conditions on probation.

The prison puts together a file on the prisoner’s time in prison and their plans for release and details such as their offending history, their behaviour in prison and psychological assessments.

They also look at victim statements or personal statements from the relatives of victims.

If the prisoner is applying for release from prison, three members of the Parole Board meet to review their case. The prisoner is not normally asked to go to this meeting.

If the prisoner is applying for release on life licence, as in Hussain’s case, the case is likely to be considered at a Parole Board hearing.

If the prisoner is released, they are supervised by an offender manager and have to follow certain conditions.

These conditions can include: observing curfews, electronic monitoring or ‘tagging’, exclusion orders and being banned from going to a certain place.