'Insulting' release of Harrison knifeman

George Harrison's widow and son have criticised a decision to release the man who attacked the former Beatle as "deeply upsetting and insulting".

Olivia and Dhani Harrison said the musician would have reacted with "anger and dismay" to the imminent release of Michael Abram, who nearly killed Harrison in a frenzied knife attack at his Henley-on-Thames home in December 1999.

The pair said they had not been warned of the decision to release Abram from a psychiatric clinic only 19 months after he was cleared of attempted murder on grounds of insanity.

Now the 36-year-old former heroin addict, who relies on fortnightly injections to control his schizophrenia, has been judged fit for release from the Scott Clinic in Rainhill, Merseyside.

Harrison died from cancer last year aged 58.

Last night Abram, who will now move to a low-security hostel and eventually back into the community under supervision, insisted he was no longer a danger to society.

Abram said: "If I could turn back the clock I would give anything not to have done what I did. But I have come to understand that I was very ill at the time, really not in control."

However, Harrison's wife and son said in a statement: "The first we heard about this was today, after the decision was taken. Noone had the courtesy to tell us in advance that there had been an application for his discharge, let alone a date set for a hearing.

"We were thus given no opportunity whatsoever to have our say, or to review any medical evidence and instruct our own expert.

"We can never forget how brutally close Abram came to killing dear George and myself, nor the trauma inflicted on our son and family.

"We wish Mr Abram no ill, but to be presented with this as a fact after the event is deeply upsetting and insulting and we feel let down by the system. It remains the case in this country that the victim simply has no voice. The vicious attack robbed George of the vital energy he needed at that time to maintain his health. Sadly he is no longer here. But we know what his reaction would have been to this news - a mixture of anger and dismay."

During his trial Abram claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy by celebrities, including members of Oasis, the Beatles and Madonna. He was found not guilty of attempted murder because of temporary insanity.

After he broke into Harrison's house, stabbing him at least 10 times, a psychiatrist who treated Abram called him "one of the most ill people she has come across". Yesterday a panel, including a judge, a psychiatrist and a member of the public, approved Abram for release.

Abram said: "With the help of the medication I'm on I am sure I can lead a normal life. I just want to be an ordinary bloke."