A CATSHILL couple fighting to keep the paedophile who murdered their son caged have won a major breakthrough.

Sue and Tony Edmonston, both aged 51, launched a campaign, through the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger, to stop a parole panel from releasing their child's perverted killer.

They were distraught when they heard in 2001 that Bernard Macanaspie could be released after serving the minimum 20 years of his life sentence.

Now after sending hundreds of letters and thousands of signatures on petitions to Prime Minister Tony Blair in a bid to keep Macanaspie behind bars, they can have their say on his future.

He was jailed in 1981 after admitting the horrific murder of Steven Edmonston.

The nine-year-old was beaten up, subjected to a terrifying sex ordeal and finally stabbed through the heart.

Last summer, a parole review board panel said the killer would remain in jail for at least another two years.

Parole will be considered again in September 2003 and the family can submit a report about their feelings for board members to consider.

Sue said forgiveness is not an option and thoughts of Macanaspie walking free leave her feeling nervous, tense and unsettled.

"While he is behind bars we have some peace of mind that he cannot hurt anyone," she said.

"It's a nightmare and I fear we will have to submit reports every couple of years to try and keep him locked away.

"People like him will always present a danger to society."

Macanaspie, whom Steven called "uncle", lived next door to the family in Harlow, Essex, when their nightmare began. He even helped look for the body.

The couple moved to Catshill five years ago.