A KILLER detained indefinitely after drawing up a 'hit list' of friends has been released after eight years.

Mark Harrington shot Anthony Rigby, 18, in the back of the head in Larkhill, Blackburn, in January 2002, and chillingly warned he would 'blow away' other friends 'one by one' after developing 'irrational grievances'.

He was detained indefinitely in a mental health unit nine months later after pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminuished responsibility.

But he has now been deemed fit to be released.

Anthony's mother said she felt 'sick and let down', while the next friend on Harrington's hit list said he would 'be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life'.

But Harrington's solicitor said Harrington had recovered from a serious mental illness and there was no lawful reason to keep him detained.

Conditions of his release mean that he must not return to Lancashire, and he will be subjected to 'close supervision'.

He can apply for a full release with no conditions within a year.

Harrington, who lived in St. James' Road, Blackburn, killed Rigby after having previously been discharged after being detained under section 41 of the Mental Health Act.

Anthony's mum Carole Rigby said she was 'devastated' at Harrington's release, calling it an 'insult'.

She said: "We have been told he's 'better', but to me and my family he will never be 'better'.

"We have done everything to keep him in the high secure unit, but all these do-gooders think people like Harrington deserves another chance.

"Why? I will hate him with every breath I take and will never forgive, ever."

Harrington's best friend Lee Holden was number two on the list.

Lee said he and his family were now 'scared for their lives'.

He said: "I feel sick and let down. For the rest of my life I will have to look over my shoulder.

"I've got a partner and an 18-month-old daughter to think about now.

"I feel like the authorities are looking after a killer, but never think about us."

Harrington's solicitor John O'Donnell said his client had been discharged on 'stringent conditions'.

He said: "He can be recalled to hospital if any concerns arise.

"There is much ignorance and stigma attached to mental illness but the public are entitled to reassurance about their safety.

"As far as is humanly possible, they can have that assurance in this case."

Mr O'Donnell said his client became unwell at 17 and developed a serious mental illness for which he was 'inadequately treated' and later caused him to shoot and kill his friend.

Blackburn MP and former Justice Secretary Jack Straw said he would be speaking to his successor Ken Clarke about the matter.

He said: "Victims of homicide where the perpetrators are put under hospital orders are not treated with the same respect and rights as those accorded to the equivalent victims of perpetrators who go to jail.

"Eight years for manslaughter in this case is considerably less than the average equivalent term of 15 years for murder where a person goes to jail."

Lyn Costello of national charity Mothers Against Murder And Aggression, called the decision to release Harrington 'extremely worrying'.

She said: "Eight years is not enough.

"If he is now classed as being better, then this organisation believes he should serve out the rest of his life in prison."