THE father of murdered Ilford police officer Phillip Walters has spoken of his horror that his son's killer may be released early.

Colin Walters' son was gunned down by Raymond Lee in 1995 but his killer could be released and deported to his native Jamaica after a parole board hearing next month.

Mr Walters said: "He's never shown any remorse. He may go up and tell the board he's very sorry but he has never been in touch with us.

"If he's deported he may just get a new identity and be back in the country within the week and he won't be tagged so no-one will know where he is."

PC Walters and his colleague Derek Shepherd were called to a disturbance in Empress Avenue and attempted to detain three men seen leaving a house.

There was a struggle and PC Walters was shot at point-blank range in the chest, dying later in the Royal London Hospital despite frantic efforts to save him.

Lee was convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey in June 1996 and sentenced to 18 years for the killing and for robbery and firearms offences.

Mr Walters has been supported by London's top policeman, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens. He said: "I fully share the abhorrence of PC Walters' family that his killer could be freed after serving such a reduced jail sentence. We are utterly opposed to the early release of this man and are seeking permission to raise our concerns with the parole board."

Parole board member Jo Dobry refused to confirm suggestions that Lee could be a free man within weeks. She said: "We don't give out details of terms or reviews or results."

  • A photograph and memorial book at Ilford Police Station pay tribute to PC Walters and in 1997 Prime Minister Tony Blair unveiled a memorial to the heroic constable which had been erected by the Police Memorial Trust near the site of the shooting.