'40 years ago a convicted killer would be hanging from a rope, not out and about on university courses; FURY AS MURDERER TO BE LET OUT TO STUDY AT UNI.

Byline: AMARDEEP BASSEY

A FINANCIAL consultant serving life for murdering a Midland solicitor on his doorstep is set to be given special leave to begin a university course this summer. Timothy Caines, 37, was convicted of stabbing solicitor Colin Hickman to death in a frenzied attack with a stiletto blade outside his Coventry home in March 1994.

Police arrested him days later after officers found his baseball cap and watch close to the scene.

Caines was eventually convicted of murder after Birmingham Crown Courtheardhowhehad carried out the attack to cover up a pounds 250,000 scam. Sentencing him to life imprisonment, the judge ordered that he serve at least 12 years before being considered for release.

Caines, who has always claimed his innocence, is now in an open prison and is set to study at a Welsh university, believed to be Cardiff - a move which has sparked a storm.

Last night a senior Welsh Assembly figure said: 'Forty years ago a convicted killer would hanging at the end of a rope, not out and about doing things like university courses.'

Anne Price, a legal executive who has studied Caines' case, said: 'Timothy is being prepared for his release and is currently being held in an open prison. 'He has been busy trying to clear his name for the last 11 years, which has greatly developed his academic side.

'This has culminated in Timothy being accepted to study computer engineering at university, starting this JulyMotives for Mr Hickman's death have been shrouded in mystery but evidence later emerged that the 55-year-old victim may have been involved in a massive international moneylaundering scam.

Two years ago, the Sunday Mercury revealed how the solicitor's bank statements linked him with the notorious M25 road rage killer and London gangster Kenneth Noye.

Underworld sources said they believed Hickman had helped launder proceeds of the infamous Brink's-Mat gold bullion robbery in November, 1983.

Caines has always maintained his innocence and has even been backed by Mr Hickman's partner, Vera Griffiths.

She believes he was forced to lead the killer to the scene and has actually told the trial that she saw a white man hurriedly leaving the murder scene. Mr Caines is black.

Ms Griffiths has previously said: 'I'm 100 per cent certain he did not do it. Yes, he was there and he has never denied that, but he did not stab Colin. 'He has told me how he and the other man bundled Colin into the hallway. The knifeman turned to him and said he would take care of it.'

She added: 'It pains me that someone is in prison for a murder he did not commit.'

Caines has been refused leave to appeal against his conviction and his supporters are currently lobbying theBirmingham-based Criminal Case Review Commission to take the case on.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: 'As far as we are concerned, all the evidence was put before a jury who found Caines guilty ofmurder. We are satisfied with that verdict.'

Last night, Welsh Tory education spokesman David Davies hit out at the university course decision.

'Forty years ago if someone was convicted of committing murder, thenthey would be found dangling from the end of a rope,' he said.

'They got rid of the death penalty, and I believe rightly so, but they did so on the basis that a life sentence means a lifetime in prison.

'Now it appears to mean a few years, some of which can be served out and about doing things like university courses, to all intents and purposes free to enjoy life - unlike their victims. 'That only undermines people's confidence in the judicial service. If people are sentenced to life then they should serve life, and a lesser sentence for such a crime should be carried out in full

CAPTION(S):

LIFE SENTENCE: Timothy Caines was convicted of murder; VICTIM: solicitor Colin Hickman; DEATH SCENE: Hickman's home