THE parents of a baby boy killed by a drunk driver are outraged that his killer has been given permission to leave prison at weekends just weeks before the third anniversary of the tragedy.
Finlay Woods was 15-months-old when he was struck by a 4x4 driven by Katie Guiterrez-Perez outside Selwyn Primary School, Highams Park, in September 2008.
Guiterrez-Perez, who a court heard had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs in a failed suicide attempt just moments before the crash, was sentenced to seven years in jail but is due to be released in March 2012.
Parents Tina and Roger say they were dismayed when they were suddenly informed last week that a prison governor had agreed to her application for weekend release every two months.
The Prison Service said it does not comment on individual prisoners but said only those that represent a "minimal risk of escape or risk of harm to the public" are granted weekend release.
Mum-of-five Mrs Woods, 34, said: “It's awful enough as it is, but the fact that she applied and this decision was granted at this time of year is incredibly insensitive.
“The thought that we could be walking down and the street and see her coming the other way doesn't bear thinking about.”
Guiterrez-Perez, who pleaded guilty, has previously attempted to get weekend release and also had a failed bid to get her sentence cut in December 2009, but Mrs Woods says in this case the family received no prior warning.
She said: “It seems ludicrous. With her we just don't know what's around the corner.
“Our little boy Harvey is still in counselling over it and September is always a very difficult time of the year for us.
“In these situations they don't seem to care about the victim's family. This is just not justice. She's a mother too and I wonder how she would feel if she was in our shoes.”
Despite the sadness over the approaching anniversary of Finlay's death, the Woods, of Winchester Road in Highams Park, have been cheered by the latest addition to their family of little baby Dexter, who is now six-months-old.
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "Prisoners may be released on temporary licence providing they meet strict criteria and pass a rigorous risk assessment. Only those assessed as representing minimal risk of escape or risk of harm to the public are eligible.
"If prisoners breach their licence in any way, they will be subject to disciplinary proceedings."
The family have set up an online petition protesting against the decision. It is available at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16191
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