The family of a man beaten to death by a Scottish murderer and rapist are terrified as the monster is released on license

Stewart, dubbed the Dumfries murderer, is also in prison for causing the death of his mother's boyfriend, Donald Nicholson, in 2001 and the rape of a 53-year-old Dumfries grandmother in his hometown in 2003.

Philip's daughter Lynette, 39, said the family felt they had been let down by authorities “from the start” and believes Stewart will offend again.

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She said: “The whole family is shocked that something like this could happen.” He has never shown any remorse for what he did. It's just not acceptable, it's dangerous and he'll offend again, I'm absolutely sure of it.

“I don’t think he can ever change. He murdered my father while he was on the run from the other murder and rape. So we were constantly disappointed right from the start, not just now. The Justice Department made a big mistake.

“I'm disappointed. They believe that people will make the right decisions to protect the public. I never thought I would have to explain what happened to my children, let alone that he was out.”

Stewart was wanted for the violent rape of the grandmother when he was convicted of Philip Haselip's death.

He had also been a suspect in the brutal killing of his mother's “frail and defenseless” partner during an argument, but police had to release him due to insufficient evidence.

He confessed to the culpable murder of Mr Nicholson – who had been attacked 10 times with scissors and a knife – only after he was given a life sentence with a minimum of eight years for Philip's murder.

He was sentenced to an additional 10 years for the rape and 12 years for Nicholson's death. Philipp's twin brother Tony, 72, also criticized the decision to release Stewart.

He added: “It’s not a life sentence, is it? We are the ones who were given the life sentence. Life should mean life – he should never have been let out.

“So far he has had seven parole board meetings and each time he has not been recommended as suitable for release.”

Stewart struck up a “friendship” with Philip Haselip after meeting in a homeless shelter in Corby while he was on the run following his Dumfries crimes.

Lynette recalled meeting Stewart in a frightening encounter in the days before her father's murder. She was just 19 years old at the time.

She said: I was visiting Dad's apartment and Rikki Stewart actually opened the door for me. I asked him who he was and he said he was just there to have a drink with my dad.”

Lynette asked her father if he wanted anything from the store, but he declined and said they would see each other that weekend. She added: “That was the last time I saw my father.”

Lynette returned to the property every day for the next three days, but there was no response. Then she received a strange text message from her father's phone.

“The text said 'How are you?' but that wasn't the way my dad would normally message him,” Lynette said. Later that day, she walked past after work and noticed the front door was locked from the inside and raised the alarm.

“The door wasn’t right when I knocked,” she said. “I tried the handle and could see it was locked from the inside with a latch and I couldn’t see anything through the windows.”

Her brother then visited the property and upon leaving bumped into Stewart, who told him: “Your father is inside.”

Philip's battered body was then found wrapped in a blanket in the building's laundry room, having been stabbed three times in the chest. “The rest is a little blurry to me after this point,” Lynette said.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Rikki Stewart's crimes were horrific and our thoughts are with the families and friends of his victims.”

“Prisoners are released on the day of their release only after a careful risk assessment, must adhere to strict rules and face additional time behind bars if they do not comply.”

To sign Lynette's petition, please click here.

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