Family demands 'life means life' sentence for notorious Blackburn killer

12:00pm Saturday 25th August 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

Killer Anthony Entwistle Killer Anthony Entwistle

ONE of East Lancashire’s most notorious murderers must stay behind bars for the rest of his life — his victim’s family said.

High Court judges scrapped Anthony Entwistle’s 'life means life' sentence meaning he will be considered for parole this year having served almost 25 years.

In 1987 he committed one of Blackburn’s most shocking killings. He abducted 16-year-old Michelle Calvy from a canal towpath before raping and strangling her then dumping her body at a Tockholes beauty spot.

Now a campaign has been launched to make sure that he is never allowed to be released.

Entwistle, now 62, killed Michelle just weeks after he was released from a prison sentence for rape.

Her brother, Paul Calvy, said the whole family were angered that he was bidding to be released.

He and his brothers, Michael and Douglas, are backing a petition to the government calling for him never to be released.

Father-of-two Mr Calvy, 42, from Intack, said: “He took my sister away from us. My children would have had an auntie. She would have had a life.

“We are still so angry about what he did to Michelle and furious that he is trying to be released. There is no way he should even be considered for release.

“If that happens it will show that the system does not work.

“He should stay in prison where he belongs. Someone like him cannot change and the authorities certainly cannot take a chance with him.

“He proved the first time he was released that he is a danger to the public and I strongly believe he should remain behind bars.”

He said the family were keen for as many people as possible to sign the petition after they found out he was attempting to be released.

Mr Calvy said: “We still go to the cemetery once a month to put fresh flowers down.

“There’s a photo on the wall in my house of Michelle. She will not be forgotten.

“She was only 16 when she was killed 25 years ago but I still remember getting the phone call to tell me she had passed away.

“That pain does not go away.”

Cousin Anne Bevan, one of the last people to see Michelle alive, said: “There is no parole for the grief and loss of a young family member. That stays with us for life. Why should Anthony Entwistle be considered for parole. I would ask anyone with a family to sign the petition.”

The former Witton Park High School pupil was killed in April 1987.

Entwistle, who lived in Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle, had served two seperate prison sentences for rapes before he murdered Michelle, of Brookway, off Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

He killed her just weeks after being released from a seven-year jail term.

Entwistle was told by the original trial judge he would die in prison for the killing of Michelle when he was sentenced in 1988. At the time he was one of 35 murderers told they will never be released.

But three years ago a review by High Court judge Mr Justice Davis found that he should be eligible for consideration for parole after serving 25 years in prison, giving him a chance of freedom this year.

The judge ruled that a 25-year tariff was sufficient for the purposes of ‘retribution and deterrence’.

Mr Justice Davies said that it would be up to the Parole Board to decide that Entwistle did not pose a danger to the public, adding that he shared ‘concerns’ that it may never be safe to release the killer.

Blackburn MP and former Justice Secretary Jack Straw is set to meet Michelle’s family in the run up to the parole hearing.

He said: "I can well understand the anxiety of the family, but as the judge made clear, all this prisoner has a right to do is apply for parole.

"And the judge said words to the effect that his release, if ever, will only take place if he no longer poses a danger."

Mr Straw said he would have the chance to make representations to the parole board, including to argue against Entwistle's release, as would the victim's family.

He said: “There are quite a number of prisoners whose tariffs have expired but are not being released because they are still a danger.”

• THE petition to the government can be found at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/36769

The case that shocked Blackburn

MICHELLE Calvy’s murder shocked Blackburn in 1987 after she was snatched from a canal towpath near her home.

Her naked body was found at a ‘lovers lane’ beauty spot in Tockholes, sparking a major police hunt.

Young women were warned by detectives to beware as there were fears the killer could strike again.

Entwistle was arrested several days later by a police officer who spotted him cleaning his car outside his Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle home.

Footprints in the car’s footwell matched those left on Michelle’s body.

The brutal killing brought to an end a 14-year reign of terror carried out by Entwistle.

He had numerous convictions for rape and sexual assault.

He was first jailed in 1974 when he escaped a life sentence for four rapes. He served just four years.

In 1980 he was again in court and was branded an ‘appalling danger’ to women after raping a 27-year-old from Nelson and a 15-year-old as well as a 17-year-old babysitter.

He was then released in 1987 but 17 days later he struck again. This time snatching Michelle Calvy from near her home in Blackburn. He took her to a remote road in Tockholes before raping and strangling her.

He dumped her naked body in nearby woodland.

Det Supt Bill Hacker, who led the inquiry, warned at the time: “This killer could strike again. I do not want to spread panic and alarm but young girls should be aware that what happened to Michelle could happen again.”

Michelle had just finished her studies at Witton Park High School and was set to begin a job at a Blackburn town centre green-grocer on the day her body was discovered.

She was described as ‘little miss perfect’.

Before her killing Michelle had been staying with a friend in the Griffin area of Blackburn and left her aunt’s house in Tenby Close before walking along the canal towpath when Entwistle abducted her.

Speaking after Entwistle was jailed her mother Annette Dean said: “We used to see things like this on television but you always think it will never happen to you.”

Comments(34)

accy lad and proud says...
12:22pm Sat 25 Aug 12

The trial judge at the time told him he would die in prison ! That was the law then when he committed the crime, so that is where he should stay.

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Chris P Bacon says...
12:50pm Sat 25 Aug 12

There should be no question of this man being released. He's shown what he is capable of when he was released the last time so why would the parole board subject innocent members of the public to this beast's depraved lusts?

Society will not be safe with this animal walking amongst us.

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LittleMissKc says...
1:22pm Sat 25 Aug 12

He absolutely should never be released! I was raped at aged 14 and my attacker got 7 years, he was told that he must serve 5. They let him out after 4 years! He attacked a lady in a wheel chair the night before attacking me, and a month or two after he was released, he came into Darwen (the exclusion zone) and went missing from his bail hostel for a week. Letting people like him out of jail is never a good idea, they will always be a danger to the public! How do I sign the petition?

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RUinsane says...
1:24pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Chris P Bacon wrote:
There should be no question of this man being released. He's shown what he is capable of when he was released the last time so why would the parole board subject innocent members of the public to this beast's depraved lusts?

Society will not be safe with this animal walking amongst us.
For once I agee with lance Armstrong here but I would go one step further though This animal should be plant food.

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Troy McCLur says...
1:29pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Our 'justice system' is seriously out dated and lacks any kind of common sense. If someone commits a serious crime like rape after already serving time for committing a serious offence, then they should throw away the key or throw them off the quay. This guy does it even worse the third time and he's gonna be released? That is ridiculous. We should do everything we can to support Michelle's family and make sure this evil man is never released.

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LittleMissKc says...
1:38pm Sat 25 Aug 12

LittleMissKc wrote:
He absolutely should never be released! I was raped at aged 14 and my attacker got 7 years, he was told that he must serve 5. They let him out after 4 years! He attacked a lady in a wheel chair the night before attacking me, and a month or two after he was released, he came into Darwen (the exclusion zone) and went missing from his bail hostel for a week. Letting people like him out of jail is never a good idea, they will always be a danger to the public! How do I sign the petition?
Found the link, will sign now.

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prince of darkness says...
1:41pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Troy McCLur wrote:
Our 'justice system' is seriously out dated and lacks any kind of common sense. If someone commits a serious crime like rape after already serving time for committing a serious offence, then they should throw away the key or throw them off the quay. This guy does it even worse the third time and he's gonna be released? That is ridiculous. We should do everything we can to support Michelle's family and make sure this evil man is never released.
What a surprise that again the Judicial system has failed yet again, if had worked Michele might have had a life. Because it didn’t her life was non excitant due to the act of walking oxygen thief. Life should as its said life not 25 years then let out again. Better still use the American system where they incinerate them after several appearances in court. Not like here they have upwards of 45 convictions get a slap on the wrist, no deterrent. Trust her family succeed and keep him in prison FOR LIFE.

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halfhearted says...
1:53pm Sat 25 Aug 12

This man is plain evil. He should never be allowed to walk the streets again as he will re offend.
The country is far to soft. With the technoligy now to hand they should seriously consider bringing back the death penalty.

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jackmetickler says...
2:50pm Sat 25 Aug 12

signed the petition ....

once again our lords and masters, them of the great public school education who know so much better than us all..
are happy to release any sc*mbag back into society to live amongst the great unwashed.
Maybe lord justice davies should have this filth living with him on release.

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happycyclist says...
3:25pm Sat 25 Aug 12

signed

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Mercenary says...
3:54pm Sat 25 Aug 12

I was in the same class as Michelle at witton park and she was a lovely, quiet girl who never got into trouble. I still remember the day she died and how upsetting it was. The beast who did this should never leave prison alive!

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Darren1951 says...
5:07pm Sat 25 Aug 12

** He was first jailed in 1974 when he escaped a life sentence for four rapes. He served just four years. **
Sounds like "soft justice" is nothing new in this country.

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norah bhatty says...
5:20pm Sat 25 Aug 12

If this man is released, then it is an insult to the memory of Michelle. No wonder her family are outraged.
This man has committed one crime after another, and he needs to be kept in a secure unit for the rest of his life.
If he is released, what happens if he offends again - are the authorities willing to take the risk?

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RUinsane says...
5:45pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Okay I've thought about it. There needs to be a change in the law. If this guy or ones like him are released by a parole board, as they are deemed worthy of contributing to society. Then if that released person re-offends, then the parole board should be charged on an individual basis in aiding and abetting a criminal in whatever he is charged with. So if he rapes and murders again, they would get charged with aiding and abetting rape and murder.
Sounds fair to me. This way we may get parole boards thinking twice about releasing scum. As they would end up doing bird themselves.
I am the lawmaker and I have spoken, you may now leave.

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P Calvy says...
6:30pm Sat 25 Aug 12

I would like to say thank you for all the support we have received but we still need more people to sign the petition to keep this monster behind bars so he does not destroy any more lives.
Thanks again

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mikebuk says...
7:19pm Sat 25 Aug 12

halfhearted wrote:
This man is plain evil. He should never be allowed to walk the streets again as he will re offend.
The country is far to soft. With the technoligy now to hand they should seriously consider bringing back the death penalty.
The technoligy (sic) that still jails innocent people ?

Report this post »

norah bhatty says...
7:44pm Sat 25 Aug 12

My family have signed the petition on line, and I will email as many friends and relatives as I can to ask them to support the family.

IF this man is released, then the powers that be should be able to guarantee people that he will never offend again - if they can't do this, then they know what to do.

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Darwen Malc says...
10:35pm Sat 25 Aug 12

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if there is undisputable truth (either DNA or otherwise) and absolutley no margins for error, that the person is guilty, then nothing less than a lethal injection will do. I'll do it, I'll take the job! Save the government millions, it would. This guy should not be free to walk the earth. Petition duly signed.

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andreak says...
7:59am Sun 26 Aug 12

I started this petition as Michelle's story haunted my teenage years and when I saw this man was due to have a parole hearing it sickened me that they could even think of releasing him after what he did to her , I would also like to say to Michelle's family that I am sorry I didnt ask your permission first about this but im glad you are behind the campaign to keep the monster inside. Please sign the petition as from his past history he will reoffend https://submissions.
epetitions.direct.go
v.uk/petitions/36769

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woolywords says...
10:28am Sun 26 Aug 12

I was fortunate enough to be around when they had the debate on capital punishment. They would have a 5 year moritorium on hanging, just to see what happened.
During that time, and a little before it, the Moors murders were occurring and many hoped that the MP's would see sense and hang the pair of them but more calmer heads prevailed and so they got life.
There was, as there is in this case, huge public outrage that Myra Hindley would be considered for parole. She had blamed Brady for leading her on. Which is a load of rot to start with.
The Home Secretary of the day sent her case notes to the Parole Board, for consideration, just like now.
The thing is, you may have your case reviewed by the Parole Board and in a fit of complete madness, they could recommend release but your case then goes back to the Home Secretary for approval. Where, in his desk he has, in the bottom left drawer, a rubber stamp thing that prints in big letters, NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. Rarely used and I can only recall having seen it used twice, this stamp is the mark of someone that should never be released.
John Straffen was such a case. He killed children got sentenced to life, escaped and killed again, then sentenced to death but escaped the noose on the grounds of insanity to become the longest serving prisoner at 55 years.
As a card carrying member of the hang 'em, flog 'em and whip 'em brigade, and given that this an Olympic year, where so many of our kids have done some outstanding things, can we not encourage this man to have a crack at beating that record of 55 years of incarceration?

Go on lad, you know you can do it!

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huggles says...
3:47pm Sun 26 Aug 12

This MONSTER should be left to rot in prison and should only leave when he is in a wooden box! He stole a young girls life, took away her future, would she have become a nurse? doctor? care worker? a mum? a grandma? a loving Auntie? We will NEVER know because he took all this from her and the Government should not give him the chance of freedom and a life when he took Michelle's chance from her!
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION AND SAVE ANOTHER FAMILY THIS HEARTACHE BECAUSE HE HAS PROVEN HE WILL RE-OFFEND!!
http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/36769

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timeforcommonsense says...
5:09pm Sun 26 Aug 12

I would campaign for this guys release, I would move heaven and earth to see him released and I'd be waiting as he came out of the prison gates to whisk him off to an undisclosed empty warehouse somewhere where his victims families were waiting, then I'd gladly hand out the weaponry and declare open season on the sick b*****d.

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norah bhatty says...
5:42pm Sun 26 Aug 12

All of the comments on this issues should be used to ensure this man never gets released. Perhaps Michelle's family or friends could print all of them off and take them to Jack Straw MP to strengthen their case. I am sure Jack will help if he can, who wouldn't?

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JPB says...
9:17pm Sun 26 Aug 12

i worked with a mick calvey for a number of years and have a feeling now this was her brother. i never knew anything about this at all.

just show me where and i`ll sign.

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JPB says...
9:18pm Sun 26 Aug 12

*calvy

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andreak says...
3:07am Mon 27 Aug 12

JPB wrote:
i worked with a mick calvey for a number of years and have a feeling now this was her brother. i never knew anything about this at all.

just show me where and i`ll sign.
http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/36769

Report this post »

JPB says...
9:07am Mon 27 Aug 12

now signed.

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RupertsReason says...
9:10am Mon 27 Aug 12

I was at school with Michelle, she was a great girl. That animal should never be released

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speedswift says...
11:50pm Mon 27 Aug 12

Petition signed! This "creature" is not fit to be fed to animals!!

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kempy says...
7:59am Tue 28 Aug 12

Why are we still paying to keep this person in prison.Put some arsnic in food life for a lfe he was found guilty and he has had a life of luxury the law needs changeing.I feel sorry for the family having to go through this again.

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norah bhatty says...
10:15am Tue 28 Aug 12

Keep the petition going for as long as possible.
Why not approach the Hyndburn MP, given that 'it' is from Oswealdtwistle.

As well as the petition on line, leave one in some of the bigger stores in and around town, most people would willingly sign..

The more who sign can only be good when each petition is presented.

The family of Michelle need our support, we should not let them down.

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kempy says...
12:17pm Tue 28 Aug 12

norah bhatty
If they got a petition on facebook or the internet it would be more country wide and it may get the MPs to do something,

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norah bhatty says...
6:21pm Tue 28 Aug 12

kempy - I fully agree with your comments, but I am not a facebook user so I have no knowledge, but there will be many that are, and I hope they follow your good advice.

The e-petition is on the Internet, so people out there, please support Michelle's family in any way you can.

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andreak says...
12:17pm Wed 19 Sep 12

Anthony Entwistle should never be released from prison due to HM E petitions closing our petition we have started a new one could you please all resign and share this new petition with an explanation that its a resign http://www.gopetitio
n.com/petitions/just
ice-for-michelle-cal
vy.html

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