Brother of Solihull murder victim to meet Jack Straw over killer's escape

Nov 28 2009 by Christina Savvas, Birmingham Mail

THE family of a businessman murdered by former Royal aide Jane Andrews will meet justice secretary Jack Straw next month to discuss the “fiasco” after she managed to escape from prison.

Rick Cressman, whose brother Thomas was murdered by Andrews in a frenzied attack in 2000, will confront Jack Straw about the “complete and utter incompetence” of his department.

The owner of Nailcote Hall hotel, near Balsall Common, has previously called for Mr Straw to resign after Andrews, 42, fled East Sutton open prison and went on the run for two days before she was found by police in a nearby hotel.

Mr Cressman argued that Andrews, who is now on suicide watch in Holloway Prison, should not have been at an open prison.

An inquiry has been launched into how the Duchess of York’s former dresser managed to abscond.

Mr Cressman said: “Jack Straw’s office called to arrange a meeting in the middle of December to discuss the whole fiasco and we will see where that takes us.

“I have expressed the main issues which I will be raising with Mr Straw regarding the complete incompetence of the Ministry of Justice and the Prison service regarding Jane Andrews.

“There are a number of issues related to this case including the fact that she was in an open prison after only eight and a half years in the first place.

“As a family we feel abused by the system as do many victims of crime. It is utterly pathetic. This past week since the attempted suicide has been total upheaval for our family. It feels like Tommy’s murder has happened all over again. It’s very unfair and the punishment does not fit the crime.