A NOTORIOUS murderess who stabbed her fiance and claimed he was the victim of a road-rage attack has been allowed out for shopping trips in the region.

Tracie Andrews, who killed Lee Harvey in December 1996, was temporarily released from Askham Grange open prison, near York, on Saturday (AUG21).

She then went on an eight-hour shopping spree in the city centre, as she prepares for her permanent release.

The 41-year-old browsed DVDs and bought clothes from high street fashion chain H&M.

She was also seen to visit several high street stores in the city, including Boots, Poundland and Currys, accompanied by a friend.

During the shopping trip, Andrews was pictured flicking through murder mystery films in a discount DVD store in York's market district.

Andrews stabbed 25-year-old Mr Harvey 37 times as the couple travelled to their home in Worcestershire, in December 1996.

Inventing the road-rage story in an attempt to cover up the crime, she was arrested after police found Mr Harvey's blood in the boot of her car.

She was convicted of murder in July 1997 and given a minimum 14-year life sentence.