BLIND killer Tony O'Connell is to be set free after a judge said he had suffered enough.

Friends of the York woman he battered to death today voiced outrage at the decision.

Tony O'Connell is led into Newcastle Crown Court where he was given a sentence of probation after admitting the manslaughter of Krystyna Walton

O'Connell has been held in custody since he killed Polish-born Krystyna Walton in a drunken rage last September

But Newcastle Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hooper yesterday accepted probation officers' recommendation O'Connell should not remain in prison.

The judge told near-blind and diabetic epileptic O'Connell: "It is clear from the reports that your time in prison, which is now some seven and a half months, has inevitably caused you far greater suffering than it would be for a prisoner who was not impaired as you are.

"It should not be thought the probation order would be made but for the fact you have spent a substantial period in custody in the circumstances I have outlined."

The judge said he would make a three-year probation order on May 28 when the probation service has found suitable accommodation for O'Connell.

"I understand you are looking for an address in Newcastle because of the difficulties you would face if you went back to the York area having regard to these matters," the judge said.

O'Connell, aged 34, of Bouthwaite Drive, Acomb, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing.

He told police he had grabbed 48-year-old Mrs Walton's neck, knelt on her and punched her four times to "stop her laughing", Andrew Campbell QC prosecuting, said.

Police later found 17 bites on her body among 42 injuries. He had bitten her at least twice after she died, having choked on blood from her broken nose.

Friends of Mrs Walton today condemned the sentence.

Michelle Clayton, who lived next door to the victim, said she had heard of petty thieves serving longer sentences and justice had not been done for Mrs Walton or her family and friends.

"It's absolutely disgusting - it's awful, it's not justice and it's not right," she said."I just hope he's not going to be coming back around here."

And one local businessman, who knew both killer and victim, called for the judge to resign.

"This must be a mistake," he said.

"I have no respect for this decision and I have no respect for the man who made it - how will her family feel when they hear about this sentence? The judge should be forced to resign. Even if that man killed Mrs Walton by accident he should not just walk away with probation."

Another local businessman, David Smith, of Dave's Chippy, agreed. He said: "If he's admitted killing her and he gets off then it's just an absolute joke."

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