A MOTHER has made an emotional plea for prison bosses not to free her son’s killer.

Carole Rigby is furious that Mark Harrington is being assessed for possible release just six years after shooting 18-year-old Anthony in the back of the head in Blackburn.

Harrington had a drawn up a hitlist of his friends and Anthony’s name was at the top of the list.

Two others on that chilling list have also added their voice to Mrs Rigby’s plea, saying they felt ‘sick’ he could be freed.

Harrington, then aged 26, killed Anthony at his victim’s home in Swift Close, Larkhill in January 2002.

The following September Harrington, who lived in St. James’ Road, Blackburn, was detained indefinitely in a secure mental health unit after pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

A mental health tribunal board hearing is set to take place next week to see if he should be released or kept at the Middlesbrough unit.

Mrs Rigby said his family had been left shocked by the news that Harrington was attempting to be released.

She said: “We are still coming to terms with his death. I have been having sleepless nights. It is far too soon for that scum to be released.

“If he was released I wouldn’t feel safe.

“The last six years have been pure hell and the only piece of mind I have is that he is locked up.”

Two other of his friends on the hitlist were Lee Holden and Luke Counter.

Lee, 25, of Blackburn, said: “It makes me sick to think he could be released.

"My girlfriend is expecting a baby in 10 weeks and I have to think of the safety of my family.

“The last time they let him out they said he had made progress and then he killed Anthony.

“If somebody said it is 100 per cent certain he will not come after you and your family I would still not want him released because he is dangerous to everyone.”

Luke, 25, has moved to Manchester and has a young son who he has named Anthony in memory of his friend.

He said: ”Anthony's mum has always kept in touch and when she said he might get out I was absolutely disgusted.

"I was the person who saw the list and you cannot imagine how frightening it was to see my name and my friend's name on it.”

The hearing to monitor Harrington’s progress is the first of its kind since he was convicted.

The three-person panel, consisting of a judge, a mental health expert and a phyciatrist, will hear Harrington’s case.

Police, probation and medical experts who have been treating Harrison will give evidence and Anthony’s family will also be allowed to have their say through a victim statement.

Det Chief Insp Mark Gray said: “We are aware of the hearing and will be monitoring the outcome.

"He is detained under the mental health act and as such is able to have his situation reviewed.

“This is the first time his sentence has been reviewed.”