A THUG who stabbed a black teenager to death in a chilling echo of Stephen Lawrence’s murder is set to walk free from jail.
Christopher Alaneme, 18, was brutally murdered by Peter Connolly after being chased by a white gang on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, in 2006.
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Connolly was jailed for life with a minimum of 15 years for the horror attack, but he will soon be back on the streets after a probation hearing, The Sun can reveal.
The Parole Board said “hundreds of pages of evidence and reports” were analysed before the killer was deemed fit for release in November.
A spokesperson added: “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
Witnesses claimed Christopher – known as Chris – was attacked after yobs hurled racist abuse towards the teenager.
It was then reported that Chris, who had moved to escape the crime-ridden streets of south London, was chased by a gang before he was knifed.
He was then left to die on the ground opposite a McDonald’s restaurant.
The case had chilling similarities to that of Stephen Lawrence, who was also stabbed to death by a racist gang in Eltham, south London, in April 1993.
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Both boys were 18 when they were attacked by a group of white men, and Chris tragically lost his life on the eve of the 13th anniversary of Stephen’s murder.
The pair also both attempted to stumble to safety and bled to death while waiting for a delayed ambulance.
Two men were eventually jailed – 19 years later – for murdering Stephen.
Unlike Stephen’s case, which was shrouded in “institutionalised racism” within the Met Police, cops took much faster action to catch Chris’ killers.
However, despite there being no dispute that racist remarks were made, a judge ruled Chris’ killing was not a clear racial crime.
And much like the 1993 murder, a public inquiry was launched into how the police and other public bodies deal with race issues, hate crimes and murders.
Five men, who had been visiting Kent from London at the time, were charged with Chris’ murder, and three also with wounding with intent for attacking another man, a white taxi driver named Mark Davies who was also stabbed but survived.
Four of the defendants were cleared of all charges, but Connolly was found guilty at trial and was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years.
The painter and decorator, originally from Peckham, south London, was visiting the coastal town of Sheerness on holiday.
It’s thought Chris had sprung to the aide of a white 14-year-old boy when he was fatally stabbed.
Witnesses suggested a fight broke out after a racist remark was made towards the 6ft4in black teenager.
‘TOUCHED THE LIVES OF EVERYONE HE MET’
Speaking at the time, Chris’ heartbroken mum Agatha described her boy as “a wonderful son, brother and grandson who touched the lives of everyone he met”.
When approached by The Sun regarding Connolly’s release, Agatha declined to comment.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Peter Connolly following an oral hearing in November.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.
“Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.
“The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.
“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
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