Arsonist David Blagdon, who has spent 21 years behind bars, was today waiting to hear the result of a crucial parole board meeting on his future.
Blagdon, 47, is serving a life sentence for setting fire to curtains and pews at St Laurence's Church, South Hinksey, in 1978, causing £1,200 worth of damage.
The Oxford Mail is urging Home Secretary Jack Straw to intervene and have Blagdon released.
The board was not originally due to review his case until November, but officials agreed to meet now to discuss transferring him from Bullingdon Prison, near Bicester, back to an open prison, paving the way for his release.
The outcome of the meeting is not expected to be revealed for several days.
Story date: Friday 12 March
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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