The family of a Scots child killer’s victim are making major strides in a campaign to change the law around the release of violent offenders.
Adam Stein, from Glasgow, was convicted of the rape and murder of six-year-old Collette Gallacher in a Northamptonshire town in the 80s but has since been returned to prison twice for breaching the terms of his release.
Colette’s sisters Claire and Lauren Holmes are demanding tougher controls on dangerous sex offenders like Stein, who is from Glasgow and now lives under a new identity.
They also want greater transparency after system loopholes denied them information on his reoffending
They have won the backing of North Northamptonshire Council, which wants Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to change the law.
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Claire told the Record: “We want to make change in Collette’s name and get her justice."
Collette was snatched by welder Stein, now 63, as she went to catch the bus to school in Corby, known as ‘Little Scotland’ due to its large expat community, in 1986.
Five days later her body was discovered in Stein’s loft and a court was later told how he lured Collette into his flat with crisps, sexually assaulted her and suffocated her before hiding her body.
Stein was initially released in 2016 but was back behind bars within 14 months after driving offences.
He was released for a second time in March 2021 and Collette’s sisters successfully campaigned for him to be placed on the sex offenders’ register - which came into force after Collette’s murder.
He was jailed for four years at an undisclosed crown court in November last year after breaching his sexual harm prevention order four times.
Despite the fact that the case was heard in public in open court, the family were denied information on his crimes.
Stein has changed his name and his appearance - shaving his dead and moustache - but the media is banned from revealing his new identity.
Claire and Lauren made an impassioned plea to North Northamptonshire Council last week for support for a motion calling for victims to be more involved in the process to release offenders and for newly released offenders to be added to the sex offenders’ register where conviction pre-dates its introduction in 1997.
The motion was unanimously backed by every member from every party after the sisters told of the impact of Stein’s release on their family.
Claire said: “I just burst into tears. It was an amazing feeling to have that much support.
“We have had a lot of doors closed in our faces and a lot of people hesitant to get involved. To get the support of 78 people who don’t know us was just amazing.
“The council will now write to Dominic Rabb saying they support the motion.”
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A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “This was an appalling case and our thoughts remain with Collette’s family.
“We want victims going through the justice system to feel listened to, supported, informed, and to be treated fairly, properly, and with dignity.
“Cases such as this are why we are putting the principles of the Victims Code in law and toughening the parole system, giving ministers the power to veto the release of dangerous offenders and making public safety the only priority in all decision making.”
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