One of Wales’ most infamous killers, Jeffrey Gafoor, is set to be released from prison after a decision by the Parole Board. Gafoor was handed a life sentence in 2003 with a minimum term of 13 years for the brutal murder of Lynette White on Valentine’s Day in 1988. Lynette White’s body was discovered in a flat above a betting shop in Cardiff’s James Street, having been stabbed over 50 times.
Initially, five men of Black and mixed race backgrounds were wrongly accused of the murder. Subsequently, in a significant miscarriage of justice, Stephen Miller, Tony Paris, and Yusef Abdullahi, known as the Cardiff Three, were wrongly convicted of the murder before being exonerated on appeal due to police misconduct.
It took ten years for DNA evidence to link Gafoor to the crime, leading to his conviction in 2003 for Ms. White’s murder. Gafoor confessed to the stabbing, attributing it to a dispute over £30. Despite being denied parole on multiple occasions, Gafoor has since been granted day release, and a recent Parole Board decision has ordered his release, deeming his risk manageable in the community.
A Parole Board spokesperson stated that decisions are based on assessing the risk a prisoner poses to the public and their potential for rehabilitation. Gafoor’s release comes after several reviews, with the Board considering evidence of his crime, behavior change, and impact on victims. Parole hearings involve detailed examination of various factors, including statements from professionals and victims.
Following a hearing this month, Gafoor is set to be released from open prison conditions. The release decision comes after Gafoor’s continued progress and assessment that his risk can be managed outside of prison. The Parole Board emphasizes the thoroughness of their review process to safeguard the public.
Jeffrey Gafoor’s impending release marks a significant development in a case that has long haunted Wales, shedding light on the complexities of the criminal justice system and the pursuit of justice for victims of violent crimes.