A WOMAN whose husband was killed in the Selby rail crash has reacted angrily to news that the man responsible has been given day release from prison - only 18 months into his five-year sentence.

Margitta Needham, of Pocklington, whose husband, Barry, was one of ten men to die in the crash in February 2001, said the thought of Gary Hart enjoying a day out in the sunshine was "secondary wounding" for all his victims.

"My husband has been in his grave since the day before his 44th birthday, and he (Hart) is out enjoying himself," she said.

"It's sad that the prison system feels that he should get out. The message this gives is that there's no deterrent."

Hart, 38, of Strubby, Lincolnshire, who was convicted of ten counts of causing death by dangerous driving after he fell asleep at the wheel of his Land Rover on the M62, was pictured in a Sunday newspaper enjoying a day out after being given day release from North Sea Camp jail near Skegness.

Allegations were also made that he has been painting train crash scenes and selling them to fellow inmates.

A Prison Service spokesman said Hart had drawn the prison's attention to transactions he had been conducting with other prisoners, and this was now being investigated.

East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight, who represents one of the families concerned, said he would be demanding an urgent inquiry.

Updated: 11:32 Monday, July 21, 2003