Killer who suffocated girl, 10, to 'sue Parole Board for breaching human rights'
A child murderer who has had his bid for freedom turned down is to sue the Parole Board for breaching his human rights in the first case of its kind.
Paul Smith was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years after he suffocated 10-year-old Rosie May Storrie at a Christmas party in 2003. The trainee electrician was 17 when he carried out the murder with Rosie May found unconscious on a bed in Normanton, Leicestershire, and she died two days later in hospital.
The Parole Board has ruled that he should remain in prison due to concern over his sexual behaviour.
But Smith, now 38, has reportedly sought to have the decision overturned in the High Court, claiming that his human rights have been breached. It comes as a new parole appeal is also reportedly being made this week and Smith is believed to be the first child murderer to use human rights law in a bid for freedom.
He had become eligible for parole in January 2018 when his minimum jail term ended but a Parole Board review in 2024 decided against releasing him, citing his 'sexual interests', reported The Sun.
Smith denied murder during his trial and at his sentencing it was revealed that he had earlier threatened a 16-year-old with an air rifle before bundling her into the boot of a car. He had also attacked a girl of 12.
A court heard that Smith was seen chasing Rosie May during the Christmas party. The youngster was later found unconscious in a bedroom by her horrified dad, Graham. Her mother Mary, a nurse, carried out mouth-to-mouth but Rosie May never regained consciousness.
Since their daughter's death Mary and Graham have helped thousands of children through their Rosie May Foundation.
On the website it states: "Our Story. Tragedy can happen to anyone at any time and ours was every parent's nightmare. On the 28th of December 2003 our lives were changed irrevocably. At a Christmas party, Rosie May our only daughter, age 10, was brutally murdered by a 17 year old boy she knew.
"In January 2004, the Rosie May Foundation was founded in response to overwhelming donations from the public. Immediate funds went to Sheffield Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, who gave Rosie May very special care during the last, precious 48 hours of her short life. Graham, Rosie May's father recorded Van Morrison's Brown eyed girl as a tribute. He sang this to baby Rosie. It was their song. He told his little girl he had written it especially for her! The CD has now sold over 3000 copies for the charity."
The Mirror has contacted the Parole Board for comment and the law firm Instalaw that is representing Smith.
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