THE family of George Harrison said last night that the formerBeatle would have greeted the decision to free the schizophrenic whostabbed him with anger and dismay.
The late guitarist's widow, Olivia, and his son Dhani said theyhad received no warning that the release of Michael Abram wasimminent, after an independent panel granted him a conditionaldischarge yesterday from an order to be detained in a securehospital.
Abram will now prepare to move from the Scott Clinic in Rainhill,Liverpool, to a specialist unit that helps people with mental healthproblems.
In a statement, the Harrisons said: 'The first we heard about thiswas today, after the decision was taken.
'No-one had the courtesy to tell us in advance that there had beenan application for his discharge, let alone a date set for a hearing.We were, thus, given no opportunity whatsoever to have our say, or toreview any medical evidence and instruct our own expert.'
In a statement, Abram said: 'People may find it hard to accept,but with the help of the medication I'm on, I am sure I can lead anormal life.
'I just want to be an ordinary bloke ... I can only hope theHarrison family might somehow find it in their hearts to accept myapologies.'
Harrison was attacked by Abram in his home in Henley-on-Thames inDecember 1999. The paranoid schizophrenic believed he had beenordained by God to kill the former Beatle, claiming Harrison was 'thealien from hell' who was possessing him.
Despite stabbing the musician ten times and injuring his wife,Abram was cleared of attempting to murder them both on the grounds ofinsanity and was ordered to be detained at a secure hospital 'withouttime restriction'.
Only 19 months after his trial at Oxford Crown Court, his releasewas described yesterday as 'imminent' by the independent panelcharged with reviewing his condition.
The panel, including a judge, a psychiatrist and a member of thepublic, decided he was no longer a danger to the public and was fitfor release.
During his trial, the court heard that Abram thought he was thevictim of a conspiracy by a host of celebrities, including members ofOasis and the Beatles and Madonna.
Armed with electrical flex, a pole from a broken statue, a tablelamp and a knife, Abram had unleashed a vicious assault on Harrisonand his wife in their home.
He stabbed the millionaire guitarist at least ten times andbattered him senseless with a lamp before being brought undercontrol, jurors heard.
A psychiatrist who treated Abram at that time said he was 'one ofthe most ill people she had ever come across'.
However, the family of the Beatles lead guitarist, who died inNovember following a long battle against cancer, were clearly deeplydistressed by the decision to free his attacker.
The statement continued: 'We can never forget how brutally closeAbram came to killing dear George and myself The vicious attackrobbed George of the vital energy he needed at that time to maintainhis health.
'Sadly, he is no longer here, but we know what his reaction wouldhave been to this news - a mixture of anger and dismay.
'It remains the case in this country that the victim simply has novoice,' the statement went on.
'The law must be changed. This was promised by Jack Straw at thelast election and we wonder if it will ever happen.'
A spokeswoman for the mental health charity Mind said suchdecisions were not taken lightly. She added: 'With the right level ofcontinued care, which means suitable accommodation and healthservices and support, the public shouldn't assume that history willautomatically repeat itself.'
