Double killer who slaughtered two war heroes during a rampage of violence ... trends now
A double killer who slaughtered two war heroes during a rampage of violence and received a record 26 life sentences is still too dangerous to be released.
Andrew Aston, then 29, received the longest prison sentence ever handed down in England and Wales when he was convicted in 2002.
Over a period of three months in early 2001, Aston attacked 26 elderly and disabled people in robberies at their homes in Birmingham and nearby Smethwick, with two dying.
George Dale, 87, died two weeks after being attacked in his home in the inner city area of Ladywood and Frank Hobley, 80, attacked the same month at home in Stechford, succumbed to his injuries three months later.
By the time he went on trial in January 2002, six of his victims had died, while another six were too frail to give evidence against him in court. Of the dead victims, it was felt that only two met the threshold for murder charges.
Andrew Aston, then 29, received the longest prison sentence ever handed down in England and Wales when he was convicted in 2002
Over a period of three months in early 2001, Aston attacked 26 elderly and disabled people in robberies at their homes in Birmingham and nearby Smethwick, with two dying (stock image)
Aston, now 51, had a one-day hearing in March 2023 and told the Parole Board he was a reformed man and no longer a danger to the public (stock photo of prison)
Sentencing Aston, Mr Justice Butterfield described the offences as brutal and cowardly and said the drug addict might never be released from prison: 'In his case, imprisonment for life may well mean exactly that.'
No minimum set term was set by the judge at the time, nor has the Home Office been reported to have set a minimum tariff. Despite this, MailOnline can confirm that the killer had his first parole hearing. He has currently served 22-years behind bars.
Aston, now 51, had a one-day hearing in March 2023 and told the Parole Board he was a reformed man and no longer a danger to the public.
Despite his pleas, the killer was told a few weeks later that his appeal had been rejected. He was also refused a move to an open prison.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Andrew Aston following a paper review. The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison.
'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.
Despite his pleas, the killer was told a few weeks later that his appeal had been rejected. He was also refused a move to an open prison (stock photo)
'Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice.'
Aston's violent spree began in the small industrial town of Smethwick, West Midlands, on the 12th January 2001, when he robbed a 71-year-old man of £100.
By the end of that month, he had robbed a further eight elderly people at different addresses in the town, the oldest being an 85-year-old woman.
Detectives investigating Aston's case said his attacks became more horrific and brutal each time.
Birmingham Crown Court was told George Dale was attacked in his home on the 16th March 2001 - five days after Frank Hobley - but was the first to die two weeks later.
The war veteran, who was partially sighted and a father-of-two
