BROMSGROVE MP Julie Kirkbride is supporting a Catshill couple who are lobbying the Prime Minister to keep the 'wicked' paedophile who killed their young son behind bars.

The town's Tory representative was moved when she saw Tony and Sue Edmonston's campaign which they launched in the Advertiser/Messenger last week.

We reported how 20 years ago their next door neighbour at the time, Bernard Macanaspie stabbed nine-year-old Steven Edmonston through the heart after beating him and subjecting him to a terrifying sex attack.

When Steven went missing Macanaspie, who was known to the boy as 'uncle' helped the family, then living in Harlow, Essex, search for the body.

He even took their other two daughters out on trips and pledged to find the 'animal' that did it.

Finally he was caught and sentenced to life imprisonment with a judge's recommendation he serve at least 20 years.

Now this time is up and the couple fear he is set to come before a special panel which could release him.

Through your No.1 Newspaper they have called for townsfolk to support their plea for life to mean life in certain serious cases like this.

Miss Kirkbride, who has a son herself, has agreed to call on the Home Secretary to use his discretionary powers and keep Macanaspie in jail.

She added: "In the short term this man should not be free and in the long term I would like to see life to mean life in such circumstances.

"It is wicked the way he behaved after the killing and the family are being put through the mill again knowing he could soon be free."

If you want to back the campaign send letters and petitions to Steven Edmonston Campaign, c/o Advertiser/Messenger, 5 High Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8AJ and we will pass them on to the couple.